Elior manages several key catering outlets at the university, including The Digby Den and Diner, Café Sett, Coffee Bites Café, Costa, Froebel Diner, Library Café, Southbites Restaurant, and Whitelands Restaurant. They work closely with us to support our sustainability goals, such as using seasonal menus that reduce food miles and support local suppliers. You can learn more about Elior's social responsibility on their website.
The Hive Café, run by Growhampton, the Student Union's social enterprise, uses campus-grown produce and offers a wide range of vegan and vegetarian options. This café, built from recycled shipping containers, is a great example of sustainable dining on campus.
For students who bring their own food, we provide fridges and microwaves in several campus locations. More details are available on the Student Life: Cafés, bars and social spaces page.
Key sustainability initiatives include the use of Vegware compostable packaging, the Too Good To Go program to reduce food waste, carbon impact labels on menus, and a 10p discount for those who bring a reusable cup. These efforts are part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable food practices across campus.
Sourcing
Elior’s Commitment to Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing:
Eggs
All eggs used at catering outlets are quality assured Lion stamped free range eggs. This means thousands of happy hens.
Meat
All fresh British cuts of meat are Red Tractor Assured ensuring high standards of animal welfare and food quality.
Fish
All fish is sourced from well-managed, sustainable stocks which support small regional fisherman from the UK coast.
Packaging
VegWare
At the University of Roehampton, we use Vegware packaging and compostable hot drinks cups across our catering outlets. These items are made from plant-based materials and can be processed through our compost waste stream. Watch the video to learn how our composting system works and the importance of disposing of these items correctly.
Although our disposable cups are compostable, the university is committed to reducing single-use items by encouraging the use of reusables. To support this, we offer a 10p discount on hot drinks when you bring a reusable cup and sell University of Roehampton-branded Keep Cups at all our catering outlets.
Too Good to Go
All Elior dining facilities at the University of Roehampton are signed up to the Too Good To Go app, a simple and effective way to fight food waste. Through the app, students, staff, and members of the public can purchase unsold food from our campus outlets at a reduced price, helping to save perfectly good meals from going to waste. By participating in this initiative, the university contributes to reducing food waste, lowering our environmental impact, and supporting sustainable practices across campus.
Since we began using Too Good To Go in 2021, and up to February 2025, 2,064 meals have been saved out of a total supply of 3,637, achieving a saving ratio of over 50%. This success highlights our commitment to reducing food waste.
Cooking Oil
Elior also arranges for the collection of used cooking oil by Olleco, a company that processes it into high-quality biodiesel. This closed-loop recycling system significantly reduces carbon emissions and transforms used oil into sustainable fuel, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional biodiesel.
Find out more about waste management at the University.
Carbon Impact Labelling
Elior launched their new carbon impact labelling scheme in September 2024 after a trial in Froebel Diner.
Growhampton
The Roehampton Students' Union’s Growhampton project offers unique opportunities for students and staff to engage with sustainable food practices. From food growing and chicken care to preserve-making sessions, Growhampton fosters hands-on learning and sustainability.
Chicken Care and Egg Production
A flock of rescued, free-range, and organically raised hens live near Garden Court. Volunteers care for these quirky hens, who provide fresh eggs sold in the Hive Café. This experience allows participants to develop rare skills in animal care while enjoying the hens' amusing personalities – a great way to relax and connect with nature.
Preserve Making with Campus Produce
Growhampton also focuses on preserving fresh produce grown on campus. Through This Is Our Jam sessions, volunteers turn ingredients from the polytunnel, vegetable beds, and forest garden into delicious elderflower cordial, nasturtium pesto, ketchup, chutney, and berry apple jams. The preserves, which are sold at the Hive Café, bring sustainable and locally-made treats to the Roehampton community.
In summer 2024, over 20kg of tomatoes were harvested, set to be turned into chutney and ketchup – a testament to the productivity of the growing sessions, where students learn everything from seed sowing to tree care.
The Hive Café: An Ethical Campus Hub
The Hive Café, an independent student-run café, reinvests its profits back into student services. It serves ethically sourced food and drinks, supporting providers who share Roehampton's values for sustainability.
Highlights include:
- Triple-Certified Coffee: Enjoy Gaia and Tiki blends from Matthew Algie, which are organic, Fairtrade, and Rainforest Alliance certified.
- Fresh Pastries and Vegan Cakes: Savor daily baked goods, including vegan and low-gluten options.
- Hearty Soup and Sourdough: Try the café';s daily gluten-free hot soup with sourdough, a perfect warm-up meal.
- Veggie and Vegan Lunches: Choose from sandwiches, toasties, salad bowls, and pasta bowls, all packed with vegetarian and vegan ingredients.
£5 Meal Deal
For an affordable, sustainable lunch, the Hive Café offers a £5 Meal Deal, featuring vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. It's the best value on campus!
For updates, follow @TheHiveCafe on Instagram or stop by for a chat with the team.
Growhampton is not just a project – it's a community-driven initiative that brings sustainable food to life on campus.