|
little or no packaging , using recyclable materials or taking back packaging for reuse . In addition , a portion control system is in place and the team actively monitors food waste in line with reduction targets .
King ’ s College was recently awarded a Gold in the Cambridge University Green Impact Awards for implementation of several initiatives , such as phasing out of all single use plastics and carbon impact labelling on internal menus , giving students and Fellows the information they need to make informed , greener choices .
King ’ s also practises intelligent waste management , using local partners Lemroc and adopts a closed loop system for all compostable and recyclable waste . As a Fairtrade College , King ’ s operates a sustainable coffee shop which only sells products from local suppliers . This includes coffee beans from Liquid Line , which is triple-certified – Fairtrade , Rain Forest Alliance and organic – and Reforest Tea , a local company started by a Cambridge academic which returns all of its profits to schemes planting fruit trees .
Hot topic
Two hotels which recently opened in Cambridge are also committed to sustainable practices . The Fellows House ’ s signature restaurant , The Folio Bar & Kitchen , services plant-based dishes and the Garden House Restaurant at The Graduate , led by Adam Wood , formerly of London ’ s award-winning Perilla , is focusing on open-flame cooking and seasonal East Anglian produce .
The Education & Conference Centre at Arthur Rank Hospice has introduced eco-friendly packaging for its conference and meeting room self-service and new lunchbox packages , sourcing local produce wherever possible .
|
At the Hilton Cambridge City Centre , the team is implementing several initiatives to reduce food waste through selecting zero-waste menus and creative food presentation , diverting unavoidable food waste from landfill , and donating excess , edible food , where allowed by law .
Gardens have been re-purposed at Fitzwilliam College and transformed into colourful vegetable gardens which are harvested and left for Fitz members to take and use as they wish .
Nikki Campin , events manager , says : “ The damage to our New Court lawns from a Chafer beetle infestation provided an opportunity to bring the skills and experience of managing a potager in the College grounds .
“ The planting scheme has pumpkins , leeks and rainbow chard as the vegetable element with begonia , santolina and scabious as the colour complement . Chard leaves are passed on to the College chefs , with the pumpkins and leeks harvested during Michaelmas term .
“ This garden style , together with extensive wildflower planting , have not only transformed the aesthetic of New Court but are also examples of how small steps can be taken to address environmental concerns about biodiversity and sustainability .”
Setting goals
A local organisation – Cambridge Sustainable Food – is helping venues to set goals and implement changes with its Pledge and Awards Scheme . Seven of Meet Cambridge ’ s venues are already members and demonstrating their commitment to meet its objectives . These include Turing Locke and Hyatt Centric Cambridge Hotels ,
|
Chef ’ s Gardens , Newnham |
Darwin College , Anglia Ruskin University , Homerton College , Madingley Hall , Sidney Sussex College and St John ’ s College .
This summer , Cambridge Sustainable Food was one of only five locations in the UK to receive a Silver or Gold Award from Sustainable Food Places , a network of more than 50 places acting on food issues .
Judith Sloane , head of Meet Cambridge , says : “ It is heartening to see so many creative initiatives to achieve greater sustainability underway in our venues . While the pandemic was understandably the key focus for many months , a commitment to minimising impact on the environment is back and high on the agenda . New equipment , menus that reflect seasonal foods , programmes to reduce food waste and partnering with suppliers to minimise packaging are all playing their part in not only helping Cambridge become a sustainable destination but also in offering event organisers and visitors sustainable catering options for conferences , meetings and events .” CN
l www . meet-cambridge . com
|