More Than just a Meal

Great food. Stronger communities. The best University.

At the University of Reading, we know food has the power to do much more than nourish — it can power success.

It brings people together, creates a sense of belonging, supports wellbeing and helps students make the most of their university experience.

As the UK’s leading University for Agrifood, we have a unique opportunity to put our knowledge, research and values into practice every single day through collaboration across our University.

Putting Students First

We believe every student deserves access to great food, whatever their background, budget or dietary requirements.

Through our Clever Cuisine Meal Plans, students can enjoy freshly prepared, nutritious meals throughout the week, with the reassurance that their food is already paid for.

Participation in our Meal Plans has grown fivefold in five years, and they now account for more than half of the meals we serve.

Alongside this, Campus Cash makes food and drink more affordable across the University, rewarding students and colleagues with better prices.

We are continually developing our approach to food allergies, cultural and dietary inclusion, and nutritional transparency, helping more students eat with confidence and independence.

At Wantage Hall, we have introduced a pioneering, first-of-its-kind approach to allergen-friendly dining within a UK university, using ingredients that do not declare any of the 14 UK-regulated allergens, with a programme of further assurance and certification underway.

With approximately one in ten of our students reporting food allergies, allergen management is one of our most significant dietary responsibilities, reinforcing the importance of providing safe, inclusive and enjoyable dining experiences.

Because good food shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be part of a great university experience.

A University That Lives Its Values

Reading is uniquely placed to connect what happens in its kitchens with what happens in its laboratories, classrooms and farms.

Working alongside our academic colleagues, researchers, students and suppliers, we turn the University’s expertise into practical action.

Through our Living Labs approach, we make the University’s food operations, facilities and supply chains available as opportunities for teaching, research and innovation. This collaborative approach helps us make better use of the University’s existing assets, creating opportunities and benefits that extend far beyond the dining table.

From reducing the carbon impact of our menus and championing more sustainable food production to exploring new ingredients and supporting student-led research, our campus is a living laboratory for a better food system.

Our influence reaches beyond Reading, too. Through international university partnerships and sector collaborations, we share ideas, challenge established practices and help shape the future of food in higher education.

Our commitment to UK Agriculture and outstanding sustainability, whilst balancing nutrition, is an embedded value, based on science and evidence. Our operations use tea grown in Cornwall, Chilli peppers grown in Devon, pasta from UK wheat from Yorkshire, wine and beer from Berkshire, beef from our own farms and herbs and salads from Campus. This is independently recognised and verified by the Sustainable Restaurant Association and reflected in our 3* rating.

We don’t just teach and research a better food future. We’re helping to create one.

Different by Design. Better by Purpose.

Unlike many commercial foodservice operations, University of Reading Dining Services is run in-house, ensuring that our students and the University always come first.

There are no external shareholders expecting a return from the food we serve.

Instead, the money our customers spend supports the delivery, development and improvement of our services, creating value for the wider University.

We’re proud to operate a commercially responsible, largely self-funded service, combining the expertise and efficiency of a professional hospitality business with the values and purpose of a university.

This approach has also received external recognition. An independent review commissioned by the University praised our operating model and identified it as offering the best value for money for the institution.

For us, value means more than simply controlling costs. It means investing carefully in our facilities, food, people and technology, eliminating unnecessary expenditure and ensuring our resources deliver the greatest possible benefit.

Every decision is guided by a simple question:

How can we deliver more value for our students and the University?

Investing in More Than Dining

A dining hall isn’t simply somewhere to eat. It’s where friendships begin, communities form and students find a familiar face during challenging times.

Research increasingly demonstrates the importance of reliable access to food and the social connections created through shared dining experiences. These are associated with stronger student wellbeing, academic attainment and continuation through university.

Our Meal Plans are therefore about much more than providing meals. They help create the conditions in which students can thrive, both academically and personally.

A café is more than a place to buy coffee. It’s somewhere to study, collaborate, exchange ideas and feel part of campus life.

The University’s long-term commitment and investment into Dining Services is about more than kitchens, equipment or buildings. It’s an investment in student success, wellbeing, inclusion, sustainability and the long-term attractiveness of our University.

By combining thoughtful investment with sound financial management, we’re building a service that delivers lasting value, supports Reading’s wider ambitions, providing a ‘lived experience’ and makes the best possible use of its resources.

Made Possible by Our People

Behind every meal is a team of talented chefs, hospitality professionals and support colleagues who care deeply about what they do. They aren’t perfect, but strive for it, learning from each day.

They are the people who welcome students on their first day, remember a favourite coffee, accommodate individual needs and help make Reading feel like home from home.

Their dedication, creativity and professionalism make everything we achieve possible.

We are proud to bring our University’s values to life through the food we prepare, the people we support and the experiences we create.

Great food is just the beginning.

University of Reading Dining Services