This achievement celebrates the University’s collaborative approach to embedding sustainability into everyday life on campus - especially through the food we eat and acknowledges initiatives that go beyond the plate, engaging students and staff in meaningful environmental action.

At the heart of Sussex’s success are a range of initiatives that reduce environmental impact and actively engage students and staff:

• Carbon-labelled menus help students make informed choices by clearly displaying the environmental impact of dishes
• The £2 sustainable meal option has provided over 57,000 affordable, nutritious, and eco-friendly meals in the last year alone
• Our on-campus hydroponics farm grows herbs and vegetables that are harvested and served directly in our cafés and restaurants
• Student ‘Foodie Forums’ create an open space for dialogue where student voice shapes the future of food on campus, through a sustainability lens
• Social Kitchens empower students to cook nutritious meals using surplus food that might otherwise go to waste
• Stop Food Waste Day Pop Ups offer practical cooking and food storing tips to help reduce waste at home. 

These efforts have contributed to Sussex receiving a 92% score on the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good standard - a benchmark of excellence in ethical and sustainable foodservice.

“The Footprint Award is a milestone in our ongoing journey toward a more sustainable future”, says Sandra Delgado, Sustainability Manager for Sussex Uni Food.

“We’re committed to continually improving and innovating, making choices that benefit both people and the planet.”