ARAMARK HAS teamed up with Bicton College to help drive a new sustainability initiative that aims to produce 100% of vegetables, milk and meat served by college catering services on Bicton’s fully functioning farm and gardens.
Set in 200 hectares of open parkland and rolling countryside, the college’s fully-functioning farm is overseen by Bicton’s resident farm manager, Paul Redmore – who has over 25 years’ experience in agriculture.
Aramark’s Ewen Steele, Bicton’s catering manager commented: “The first phase – getting livestock reared, slaughtered, butchered and supplied back to the college – has already started. So as there’s no wastage, local butcher Paul Gibbins buys the cuts we can’t use and the rest of the animal is sold on.
“The first tasting was held during the annual Bicton College Country Fair, where both the college and Aramark were proudly serving 100% Bicton-reared burgers, beef and pork baps and ‘Bicton Bangers’!”
The second phase of the scheme will be to roll out the ’Farm to Freezer’ concept where the college will offer take-home meat packs. Ribs, roasting joints and chops are among other beef and pork products that will be available to buy by both staff and students. The produce is to be sold in the on-site farm-style ‘E3’ café which also sells chutneys, cakes and other delicious homemade produce.
