Food

Local ingredients, more plant-based meals and less waste are our priorities for a more sustainable future. Learn what we do within the University, what initiatives there are in town, and how we work globally to make it easier for people in St Andrews to consume sustainably sourced food and use environmentally friendly products.

What you can do

By local products

This practice is good for the environment and for our small community. It helps us understand the growth and impact of food. Contribute to a more sustainable future by supporting local farmers and educating yourself by getting involved.

Our town offers:

  • Edible Garden sessions: this initiative allows you to grow, harvest and eat your own food. The 16 gardens in St Andrews are open to everyone. Get involved by emailing transition@st-andrews.ac.uk.
  • The Tree: a local student cooperative, The Tree connects local producers with consumers so that you can buy fresh vegetables and products from Fife. Get involved by emailing thetree@st-andrews.ac.uk.
  • The Eco Hub: St Andrews Environmental Network run a refill shop on Kinnessburn Road selling sustainable food and household products.
  • The Fife Farmer's Market is held on the first Saturday of every month on South Street.

The Tree

Join this society to help run an organic and local food co-op. This initiative is part of Transition St Andrews and is entirely student-run. There are many ways to get involved, either in a committee position helping with operations and communications, or with volunteer work at The Tree's weekly stall. Start by emailing thetree@st-andrews.ac.uk.

What we are doing

At the University

Residential Business Services has worked to:

  • Increase food bought from local food suppliers, such as Balgove Larder and Fisher and Donaldson, and we are members of Food from Fife, a local organisation which promotes local food
  • Provide 70% plant-based food choices by having the same number or more plant-based options on the menu as meat
  • Deliver the principles of the Menus for Change programme, of which we are signatories
  • Reduce food supply vehicles on the roads by changing providers and delivery options
  • Use electric vehicles for 50% of our deliveries
  • Eliminate single-use plastic bottles entirely by using refillable glass bottles instead
  • Put 23,000 hot drinks into reusable cups rather than disposable cups by providing a discount to students and staff bringing their reusable cup

Fairtrade

Through food we make choices about climate, social justice, equality and much more. We work with the Scottish Fair Trade Forum and Fairtrade to buy sustainable food while educating and prompting the market to make a change.

Students and staff can get involved by emailing environment@st-andrews.ac.uk.

To date, we have:

  • been awarded the 2021 Scottish Fair Trade Forum’s Fairtrade and Sustainability Award, the only higher education institution to have been recognised for this award in Scotland
  • received a silver status Fairtrade University accreditation
  • held several events increasing awareness of food and its relation to social justice, equality and the environment
  • collaborated with student representatives, societies and community groups, such as the feminist society, the St Andrews Fairtrade Town Group, and the Students' Association's Environment Subcommittee during Fairtrade Fortnight

Our Fairtrade Action Plan aims to:

  • incorporate Fairtrade into University and Student Union procurement policy
  • promote fairtrade principles to students and the places they can purchase fairtrade goods
  • ensuring that fairtrade goods are sold and provided throughout our retail cafes and halls of residence dining services

Read our Fairtrade Action Plan (PDF).