Cracking news for Plymouth University's catering services

Plymouth University has scooped an award for ethical food sourcing by its catering services.

The Good Egg Award, presented by Compassion in World Farming, recognises organisations that make it their policy to source only cage-free eggs.

Director of Commercial Services, Ian Gribben, who oversees campus catering, said: “This is fantastic news, reinforcing our public pledge and commitment to developing a sustainable food culture at the University. It complements our continued support of the Plymouth Food Charter and international Fairtrade producers.

“This award adds to a number of other achievements for catering including, for the second year running, a Bronze status by the Food For Life Catering Mark (Soil Association). It shows our commitment to sourcing fresh food locally in an ethical and sustainable manner, promoting local producers while delivering healthy nutritious food.”

Catering services provide a good selection of ethical produce at cafes across the University campus, as well as catered events.

Tracey Jones, Director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming said: "Plymouth University has been given the Good Egg Award due to its commitment to using free range eggs and egg products. It is so great to see the University taking animal welfare into consideration as part of its sourcing policy. Higher welfare produce isn't just the responsibility of the large corporations, but something that can be achieved at all levels."

The awards have been running since 2007 and identify companies across Europe who consider higher welfare alternatives when sourcing food products.

The programme has now expanded to include the Good Chicken Award, launched in 2010, the Good Dairy Award in 2011 and the Good Pig Award in 2012.

Over 335 million hens, chickens, pigs and dairy cows and calves are now set to benefit each year as a result of award winners’ policies.

Click here for more information about the awards.