Q
are aligned with wider high-street trends. What about the different demands meet this demand. And if the growth
of international students? Are continues at the current rate, in five years,
Q
Do you think universities are universities keeping up? 75% of all meals taken within a university
keeping up with these key David Russell: Universities strive to will be plant-based."
trends, and catering to demands? meet differing demands with optimistic David McKown, Head of Training and
David Russell: University food caution to ensure outputs are commercially Quality, Accommodation and Commercial
needs to be incredibly trend led - the and operationally sustainable. The Services, University of Sheffield.
expectation ofhaving every type of University ofBirmingham has just opened
@UB_UK I www.universitybusiness.co.uk I 59
Q
Do universities have a will also foster co -created enterprises PANEL DISCUSSION:
responsibility to provide a range from the community and brands.
How can universities
of catering options to students?
take advantage of emerging
Q David Russell: We live in a youth
David Russell: Food is intrinsic to the And what are the challenges?
social experience ofbeing at university. In a food trends?
society where young people are drinking less culture where drugs are prevalent with Join panel chair Professor David Russell
frequently than previous decades, the focus an increase in 20-30-year-olds taking at the CUBO Winter Conference on
is on quality food and beverage and spending recreational drugs as part of their social Wednesday 28th November, at Leeds
more on the experience several times a week, culture. This could have a huge impact Beckett University, to discuss emerging
balancing chis with very low spend, fast and upon both our health services and our food trends •
health aware days. Universities have a duty pastoral care within university culture.
ofcare to ensure chat student wellbeing is We call for more investment in Panel Members:
as important as academic achievement. education regarding health awareness, • Tom Laskey, Business Development
Furthermore, Universities are lifestyle choices and self-preservation, Manager, Sodexo Universities
required co continue co deliver access to within schools and universities. • Nie Mander, Director of Catering,
facilities chat aid the optimal experience Food choices are very trend led and T he University of Birmingham
outcomes and moments ofnutritional there is a desire for universities across • Andrew Walker, Executive
learning. The drivers and content will the UK to be reflective ofLondon Chef, Chartwells
be different for each institution - city and mega city food scenes. !!ill
locations, for example, will be different
from campus and residential environs.
Q
What other trends can you see
evolving in the months ahead?
David Russell: Food waste trends are
likely to evolve amidst the environmentally
conscious generation we are nurturing.
Examples consist of: recycling/single plastics,
food recovery, food transparency, more
natural foods and technological integration.
Our fast paced and digital age will also
continue to influence the way in which
food is ordered and consumed. We expect
to see ready co eat boxes, mobile ordering,
digital loyalty schemes, online staff training,
and fast track order technologies.
The entrepreneurial nature ofour society