We make a direct contribution to tackling
hunger through our research on nutrition, our partnerships with organisations
and policy makers, and by supporting food-provision initiatives locally.
In the Spotlight: Healthy Living Lab
The Healthy Living Lab have a longstanding reputation for both research, knowledge transfer and public engagement. The team investigates relationships between nutrition, cognition and physical activity within schools and the workplace. Their work includes a
strong focus on public health interventions including breakfast clubs and addressing holiday
hunger. The Lab works closely with the government,
schools, charities and the catering industry to help bridge the gap between
scientific research findings, policy and practice. The lab influences policy making; most recently, Professor Greta Defeyter and Professor Paul Stretesky's paper, Hungry for Change, was discussed by MPs in the House of Commons.
At a Glance: From Our Research to Our Operations
- The Nutrition & Food Research Group explores the connections between foods and health benefits and aims to determine how to embed them into healthcare to support the health of groups including athletes, under-fives and the elderly.
- Students on our Nutritional Science courses and Public Care courses can learn about and contribute towards this cutting edge research.
- We reduce food waste and support those facing hunger through a number of measures including making regular collections of donations for local food banks.
- We were the first University in the UK to introduce Too Good To Go, an app that allows users to purchase meals that would have otherwise gone to waste at a reduced price.
- We take part in the OLIO scheme which connects our catering outlets with the local community to share and donate leftover food.
- Our Student Foodbank scheme, offered by the Students’ Union, provides short-term support to students facing financial difficulties by supplying them with a basic food parcel to last three days.
- Our catering provider, Chartwells, have a Bronze Food for Life accreditation and place an emphasis on sourcing sustainable and healthy products for our campus cafés and restaurants. This includes Fairtrade drinks and snacks, Marine Stewardship Council certified fish, free range eggs and seasonal and local produce.
- Our Sustainable Food Policy informs the activity we undertake at the university as well as forming a central part of our relevant tenders.
