Food and drinks | Sustainability at the University of Twente

Lowering our 'foodprint'

What we eat and drink accounts for 20 to 30 percent of our environmental impact. Choosing vegetarian and vegan options can significantly reduce this footprint. By ensuring a good - and growing - selection of animal-free products is available on campus we work to reduce the footprint of our food. In addition, reducing food packaging and ensuring minimal food waste can make our meals as sustainable as possible.

Food & drinks at a glance

The UT wants to halve the environmental impact of food and drinks served on campus by 2030
The default option for work lunches is vegetarian starting on 4 october 2022
The UT works together with caterer Appèl and Greendish to create a menu within planetary boundaries

Planning

Planning food and drinks

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More about food and drinks

Working towards a sustainable menu

University of Twente, caterer Appèl and Greendish are working together towards the menu of the future. The aim is a food offering that is not only tasty and healthy, but also respects the carrying capacity of the earth.

Vegetarian canteen in TechMed Centre

The TechMed Center at the University of Twente has a fully vegetarian and vegan food station. Appèl, the UT's caterer, says that offering a fully vegetarian and vegan selection fulfills a wish of the UT community.

UTZ-certified coffee machines

All coffee and chocolate milk in the hot drinks vending machines is UTZ-certified. The tea is either UTZ or Fairtrade-certified. Certification indicates that the product was produced in a sustainable fashion, with attention for social, ecological and economic aspects in the value chain.

Canteens and restaurants on campus

1 September 2018 was Appèl’s first day as UT’s official caterer. The FoodCity catering concept launched on our campus is based on a wide range of sustainable considerations. More information can be found on the service portal. Since 2022, UT, Appèl and Greendish work together towards a menu within planetary boundaries.

What can you do?

Choose vegetarian or vegan options whenever they're available - this immediately reduces your foodprint, and helps to ensure even more options in the future
Use your own cup when you're getting coffee, reducing the use of disposable cups
Order vegetarian or vegan options when organizing an event or a lunch meeting