Canteens and cafés

We have 6 canteens and 10 cafés across UAL serving a broad range of food and drinks for all requirements.

Food

UAL is the first university in the UK to receive the Gold Food for Life Catering Mark award by the Soil Association across all canteen outlets at all 6 of its Colleges.

This means we provide high quality food, that is healthy, ethical and uses lots of fresh ingredients. We choose seasonal produce because it tastes better, and it has a big environmental impact. We buy from local suppliers wherever possible, to help reduces our food mileage and support local communities and businesses.

Our food offer includes less animal protein and more plant-based protein, that’s why 70% of what we serve is either vegetarian or vegan. Part of our daily canteen service includes hot food, national dishes, Grab and Go meals (baguettes, wraps, panini, salads…), vegan soups and snacks.

If you are interested to know where our food at UAL comes from, what impact our coffees have on farmers, or how we are reducing our footprint, read our sustainability booklet (PDF 6.5MB).

We serve specialty coffee at 10 locations in UAL Colleges roasted by Extract Coffee Roasters.

Extract Coffee Roasters are an artisan roastery with one simple mission, Make Coffee Better. Better for people and better for the planet.

UAL's house espresso, Cast Iron, is from a Rainforest Alliance certified coffee estate in Guatemala which works tirelessly to protect its workers and wildlife. Cast Iron is roasted on Betty, a 1950s vintage Probat roaster lovingly hand-restored and brought back to life by Extract.

Every cup of coffee you buy supports Extract's Grounds Up work. Grounds Up is a collective of charity partners. Extract supports these organisations with the help of their own people through their time, knowledge and funding. From ex-rough sleepers in London to hospitality professionals in the North, vulnerable groups in the Cotswolds, and young people from deprived communities across the South West.