About our food

We take the health of our customers seriously. If you have a food allergy, or require information about the allergenic content of the food, we ask you to make yourself known to any member of the catering staff. They, in turn, will contact a senior member of the kitchen staff who will be pleased to discuss your requirements.

Customers should note that we produce food in kitchens where all allergens are handled and while we try to keep things separate, we cannot guarantee that any item is allergen free.

Dietary requirements

All of our packaged items are labelled with allergens and ingredients. Ask staff members in outlets for specific information.

Please note these menus are subject to change.

• Library Cafe Menu
• Link Cafe Menu
• Hub Cafe Menu
• Cookies Food and Drink Menu
• Bubble Tea Menu - Vanbrugh and Hub Cafe
• York Emporium Coffee Menu - Vanbrugh, Hub Cafe and York Sport Cafe
• Starbucks Menu - Piazza and Link Cafe
• York Sport Cafe Menu
• Roger Kirk Centre Cafe - Milkshakes and Smoothies Menu
• Costa Menu (Roger Kirk Centre Cafe and Derwent Cafe)
• Derwent Cafe Burger Kitchen Menu

Some of our foods may contain additives, flavourings, DNA or protein derived from genetically modified organisms, including soya and maize. If you would like more information regarding Genetically modified foods, please email ycl-catering@york.ac.uk 

We offer a range of plant based options in all of our outlets, including main meals for catered accommodation and college nights. We use dietary icons on our menus to indicate which items are vegan, our text icon reads (VG) whereas our image icon is a small purple leaf in a circle. 

Please notify a member of our team if you have any faith dietary requirements and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Halal

We are aiming to have Halal menus available for all of our call to order menu outlets and we offer Halal menu emailers for our catered accommodation and college night meal sites.

All of our halal menu items use halal certified ingredients. Whilst we take the utmost care to follow halal guidelines and purchase halal certified products, due to the nature of our business we cannot guarantee halal environments. If you have any questions please email ycl-catering@york.ac.uk

CO2e is a way to measure how much greenhouse gas is released during the production, transportation, and disposal of different types of foods. CO2e measurement identifies which foods have the most significant environmental impact and where we should concentrate our efforts to support sustainable food production and consumption.

Food production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, making up about 25% of the total emissions. The average carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions of UK meals is currently at 1.7kg, exceeding the Paris Agreement target of <0.5kg per meal by more than three times.

Net Zero 2050

The net-zero targets for CO2e emissions are becoming increasingly important as the world seeks to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by around 2050.

To achieve a net zero target for CO2e emissions, an average person needs to reduce their carbon footprint to around 2-3 kg CO2e per day.

This can be accomplished by implementing actions such as decreasing energy consumption, opting for low-carbon transportation methods, adopting a predominantly plant-based diet, and actively reducing waste. 

Data source

To calculate the CO2e values for specific food types, our system Pi uses data provided by the World Resources Institute and the Poore & Nemecek (2018) study published in the journal Science which is the largest meta-analysis of food systems to date.

Pi's carbon footprint labels are indicative and display meals with low, medium, and high carbon emissions to help you and your customers make more informed decisions. Let's work together to create a more sustainable future for our planet, one meal at a time!

We recognise the need to be responsible in our choice of suppliers and understanding of the life cycle of what we buy. The principles behind our procurement policies aim to:

• Appoint environmentally responsible suppliers
• Take a long-term partnership approach with key suppliers to reduce our joint environmental impact
• Endeavour to purchase goods and services with the least environmental impact during their life cycle
• Reduce paper-based transactions within the purchase cycle
• Support local businesses and local economy wherever possible

Haighs - Baker

Based in Guiseley, Leeds, Haighs is a local bakery that was founded in 1950 with less than 50 staff currently in employment. The raw materials for the bakery products come from other UK based businesses, for example; the flour comes from Heygates at Northampton and Sundries comes from Durham. Through investment in new bakery machinery, delivery vehicles and a bake-house heat exchange unit, Haighs are continually working hard to reduce their carbon footprint.

Any of Haighs over-production is sent on to St Georges Crypt in Leeds to feed the homeless. 

Paynes Food Service – Dairy

Paynes Food Service is our dedicated dairy supplier, formed through the merger of KE Blands (a fruit and vegetable wholesaler) and JG Bellerby (a fresh dairy produce supplier). Together, they bring over 30 years of expertise, with Paynes now focusing on providing us with high-quality dairy products.

Wherever possible, we work with local producers to support our community. For example, all our eggs come from three local suppliers, each located within ten miles of our site.

M&K Butchers

M&K is one of York’s most successful butchers, with a shop on Bishopthorpe Road. They also have a farm, on which they have arable cows, sheep, free range chickens and outdoor pigs.

The farm is progressive and always looking to the future, they are exploring regenerative practices to enhance the farms productivity alongside its environmental impact and to help generate money. Sheep and cows are used in an extended rotation to maintain and improve the soils, also increasing biodiversity. Pigs are used for the management of the wooded area as well as clearing land and non-native weeds.

“The reasons for venturing into regenerative agriculture is to not only maintain our land and habitats but to improve it for our children, the future, and to improve natural biodiversity.” - M&K Butchers

Delifresh - Fruit and Vegetables

Delifresh are our trusted supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables. Established in 2002, they’ve built strong relationships with a wide range of customers, from Michelin-starred restaurants and hotels to universities and stadium venues.

Innovation is at the heart of what they do, with three dedicated development kitchens driving creativity and ensuring the highest quality produce. Their commitment to excellence, innovation, and passion for food means we can offer a remarkable variety of fruit and vegetables to our customers.

Total Foodservice - Dry Goods & Wholesale Supplier

Total Foodservice is one of our key wholesale partners supplying a broad range of dry goods, staples, and catering essentials. With over 100 years of experience, they offer a vast catalogue of more than 4,000 products, backed by strong buying power to help us control costs and maintain consistency. 

Located close to the University of York, their proximity helps reduce emissions from food transport while ensuring a reliable and efficient supply.

Total Foodservice also embeds sustainability into their operations, striving for responsible growth and environmental stewardship across their supply chain. 

University of York, Eat, Shop and Drink achieved a Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification from the Soil Association for serving food that is good for our climate, nature and health at 12 of their sites including Campus Kitchen. 

The Food for Life Served Here certification from the Soil Association recognises caterers who are serving meals that use less, better meat, responsibly sourced fish, and locally sourced ingredients.

Food for life