Sustainable catering for vendors
Vendors on campus play an important role in providing choice for consumers. The University of Queensland values having sustainable food choices available on campus.
Sustainable menu choices
Vendors can provide sustainable food choices and promote sustainability on the menu. Sustainable foods include:
- Locally sourced produce
- Organic produce
- Vegetarian options
- Fair Trade produce
Food should be served with minimal packaging and any required packaging should be of recycled content and be recyclable. Vendors should encourage consumers to bring their own reusable mug for beverage purchases.
Sustainable servery
Consumer purchases are influenced by what is available and the servery area can be designed to support sustainable choices. Vendors can support sustainable behaviour by:
- Supplying reusable (non-disposable) cutlery, plates, platters, cups and glasses where possible
- Supplying recyclable cutlery, plates, platters, cups and glasses in preference to disposables
- Supplying recycled content paper napkins
- Supplying recyclable and recycled content bags and takeaway containers. Provide these only when requested.
Sustainable purchasing
Purchasing decisions have an environmental impact and clever purchasing can reduce waste. Sustainable vendors:
- Source foods and other products with little or no packaging
- Give preference to packaging that is recyclable and opt for packaging with recycled content when packaging is required
- Store food in reusable containers
- Consider the energy rating and water rating of equipment at the time of purchase
- Use sustainable cleaning products
Utilities
- Vendors should manage their waste responsibly and utilise recycling facilities to recycle paper, cardboard, plastics, glass bottles and aluminium cans
- Vendors should adopt energy reduction measures to utilise energy efficiently
- Vendors should adopt water reduction measures to utilise water efficiently
Food trucks
Note many of the above requirements can be applied to food truck or other mobile food vendors, as well as more traditional event caterers. Food truck operators may like to access our specific mobile food vendor guide.
Compliance
The University of Queensland has adopted a proactive approach to environmental management and has an established Environmental Management System. Vendors at UQ are required to:
- Comply with environmental legislation
- Comply with UQ environmental policies and procedures