Chartwells Universities and the University of Sussex
Two Crises, One Strategy: The Sussex Saver Story
Finalist, Campus Health, Food and Drink
About
Operated by Chartwells Universities, Sussex Uni Food’s Sussex Saver is a fully plant-based nutritious meal for just £2.50 - designed to tackle both the cost-of-living crisis and the climate emergency. Customisable, made with NGCI and packed with flavour, the meal is the most accessible choice on campus, encouraging students to eat well without compromise. This holistic approach proves plant-based eating is not just a trend: over 187,000 value meals have been sold, driving behaviour change and reducing emissions.
Top 3 learnings
1. We learned that students are willing to reduce their meat consumption if offered tasty and affordable plant-based options.
2. As food is deeply personal, we found that using gently nudges rather than prescriptive approaches work better to create a lasting behaviour change.
3. We learned that lower-impact meat swaps, like local wild venison, can significantly reduce emissions while maintaining appeal.
What would it mean to win
Winning a Green Gown Award would be a prestigious recognition for our institutions, enhancing our reputation as a leader in sustainable catering while shining a light on an approach that we believe should become the standard across the higher education sector.
SDGs
2. Reducing hunger
| 2026 | |
| Campus Health, Food and Drink | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
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Green Gown Award Regions
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