Westminster's catering service Aramark awarded new certification for sustainable food

Aramark are one of the UK’s most experienced catering providers, delivering a high-quality food service to over 115 organisations nationally. They provide a wide range of catering options from simple tea and coffee to working lunches or a full conference package.

Food for Life Served Here is an independent endorsement, backed by annual inspections, for food providers who are taking steps to improve the food they serve. The aim of the scheme is to encourage and reward caterers who serve fresh food, source environmentally sustainable and ethical food, make healthy eating easy and champion local food producers.

For the Silver and Gold Award of this certificate, food providers are assessed on a points-based system for food served in three categories.

They must source ethical and environmentally friendly food, where points are awarded for sourcing organic and free-range produce approved by various organisations, including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), Fairtrade, and the Marine Conservation Society Good Fish Guide. They also get recognition for using Marine Stewardship Council-certified fish, which Westminster has recently been accredited for. Besides, they receive points for serving organic or ethically and fairly traded drinks, as well as using more sustainable palm oil or avoiding its use.

To be certified, caterers also have to take steps to make healthy eating easier for customers. Points are awarded for a range of optional actions, in line with public health priorities. This includes reducing the amount of fried foods and salt used, offering fruit for dessert.

Lastly, caterers are rewarded for every penny spent on food produced in their region and for above average UK sourcing levels. Research into Food for Life menus has demonstrated a social return on investment of over £3 for every £1 spent, mostly in the form of increased employment and opportunities for local food producers. The Public Services Social Value Act places a duty on public sector institutions to consider the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their relevant area in their food procurement.

Aramark chef Christopher McDowell with certification

Aramark was also awarded the Bronze Green Kitchen Standard, which is another certification headed by the Soil Association that sits adjacent with the Food For Life Served Here certification. This certification looks at sustainable kitchen processes such as energy, water and waste use.

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Westminster Professor Peter Bonfield said: “It is very pleasing for us to have stepped up to a Soil Association Food for Life Silver accreditation. This is just recognition of the superb efforts our catering team put into providing nutritious, tasty and affordable meals for our Westminster community. It fits so well with our overarching priorities on well-being and sustainable development.  

“For the fourth time, we have received the Soil Association Green Kitchen Standard certification for our catering focused on reducing waste in food, energy and water - an excellent achievement. Particularly pleasing too because the Green Kitchen Standard was one of the outcomes of the public sector food procurement plan that I chaired 10 years ago. I am so pleased that our team are now delivering successfully against it. Many congratulations and thanks Aramark and Westminster.”

This certification directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Learn more about Sustainable Development at the University of Westminster.