TUCO appoints the SRA to deliver its sustainability programme

20th July 2015

The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) announced at their Annual Conference in London that it has launched a partnership programme with the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). This will look to enable UK universities and colleges to put sustainability at the core of their catering operation.

As part of the agreement TUCO members will receive a discount on joining the SRA. Platinum sponsor TUCO and strategic partner the SRA announced in July 2014 that they had worked together to develop a University & College Catering Programme to help raise dining standards across the sector.

Mark Linehan, Managing Director of the SRA, said: “We believed that our programme would be well received by universities and colleges because it provides them not just with a holistic assessment of their whole operation, but also with dedicated ongoing support through our team of experts, to help them go further and do more.

We are really pleased that TUCO has confirmed our model for its official sustainability programme, and together we are confident we can make a big impact and help the sector reach its potential.”

The SRA rating was piloted with support from EAUC Members; Plymouth University and University of Brighton. Both the University of Brighton and Plymouth University received the highest possible rating from the SRA - Three Stars.

Darren Proctor, Executive Head Chef at Plymouth University said: “The ongoing support and advice we receive from our Sustainability Account Manager at the SRA is absolutely invaluable. Previously we were stabbing in the dark, now we know what we’re aiming at.”

Since then a further 18 universities and colleges have joined the SRA, including EAUC Members, the University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh and Aberystwyth University.

To find out more information about the University & College Catering Rating, visit the SRA’s website.