University of Cambridge - Darwin College

Darwin College Kitchens: Leading by example for planet-conscious dining

Darwin College has become a sustainability leader among Cambridge Colleges, driven by Catering Manager Ivan Higney and supported by senior management, students, and the wider community. The initiative, recognised through multiple awards includes key projects such as:

1. Student Engagement: Promoting plant-based diets, through its Green Week and a 100% vegan May Ball.
2. Education: Training chefs at local restaurants, educational trips, seasonal recipes, and themed lecture series.
3. Procurement: Eliminating ruminant meat and endangered fish, using compostable packaging, and banning disposable cups.
4. Menu Engineering: Prioritizing plant-based and seasonal options, with research-informed food placement and subsidies.
5. Academic Collaboration: Engaging in sustainability research and initiatives like CamEATS ZERO.
6. Waste Management: Monitoring food waste, operating a community fridge, and sending compostable waste to specialist suppliers.

Darwin College's achievements include significant student involvement, high-profile event catering, and numerous awards, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable practices.

What the Judges Thought

The judges were impressed by two things. Firstly, the rigorous and explicit focus on plant-based catering, which is the most powerful lever universities have to reduce their own environmental impact and the most important step universities can signal to wider society. Secondly, the boldness and ambition of the 100% plant-based May Ball and Green Week, alongside the default plant-based catering and degree days.

Darwin college has amazing integration with both student and academic work, with the college open to trialling and being a site for cutting edge research in sustainable diets.

What it Means to Win

"I am thrilled that Darwin’s commitment to offering varied and delicious food, while reducing the environmental impact of feeding our community, has been recognised by this award. We are proud of the imagination with which our staff approach the challenge of ensuring Darwin’s catering is as sustainable as possible."

Dr Mike Rands, Master

Top 3 Learnings

1. We have shown that change is possible by dramatically changing our menus and practices.
2. We believe that collaboration is essential for change, between staff, students, and researchers.
3. We believe that all our future actions must be informed by our sustainable principles and academic findings.