Vegetarian/vegan move for cafe

January 21, 2022

As a result of student feedback, we are pleased to announce that the Sustainability Café is now 100% vegetarian/ vegan.

Newly opened in September 2021, the vibrant café, which boasts spectacular views and contemporary indoor and outdoor seating, has been built using sustainable materials including Forest Stewardship Council certified timber, and furniture fabric made from upcycled, discarded ocean plastics.

The Food and Drink team actively engages with suppliers to reduce the environmental impacts of its operations. Fairtrade and south-west suppliers are sourced for bread, milk, cakes, confectionary, fruit, and vegetables, whenever possible.

The menu has been recently updated to include more vegan and locally sourced produce. Students, staff and campus visitors can enjoy a slice of vegetarian Homity Pie, Mediterranean Pie or gently spiced Chickpea and Spinach Vegan Pie, baked by Devonshire bakers, Peck and Strong. 

Organic vegan/vegetarian soup is made by Rod and Ben’s in Exeter, who only use locally sourced ingredients. Freshly prepared local Prima rolls are available with flavoursome fillings and are plated with seasonal salad and crisps.

Quench your thirst the Cornish way with Jolly’s soft drinks, or enjoy quality Cornish Coffee and Cornish Tregothnan loose leaf teas. A tempting selection of cakes is available including vegan options made by The Exploding Bakery in Devon. Confectionary includes Buttermilk vegan chocolate, made locally in Bodmin with sustainable packaging, and Fairtrade Divine chocolate, and Fairtrade Green & Blacks organic chocolate.

No single-use plastic bottles or disposable cups are available in the café and reusable cups are for sale with a hot drink included on first purchase.

To minimise plastic wastage on campus, a new sustainable milk refill initiative is open to all customers. Buy a litre of Cornish Trewithen Dairy semi-skimmed milk in our branded glass bottles for £3, then bring back your empty bottle and purchase a fresh bottle for £1.10.

To celebrate Veganuary, the Food & Drink team is also offering a small hot box value vegan curry in the Stannary exclusively in January for £2.50 for those wanting to try a vegan offer. Every day our chefs also prepare a hot vegan special in both the Stannary and Fox Café.

If you are craving pizza, Koofi provides vegetarian and vegan pizza as well as a gluten free option.

Our Penryn Campus Shop also has a dedicated vegan section and will be sharing vegan recipes throughout the month – online and in-store. Keep your eyes peeled on the food and drink social media for details and offers.