Q&A: APETITO
Putting sustainability on the menu
goals. With the UK’s commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050, every sector, including education, has a role to play in supporting this transition. As a result, sustainability is becoming part of how education providers show responsibility, meet stakeholder expectations, and future-proof their organisations.
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n this Q&A, apetito’s Sustainability Manager, Lottie Percy, shares expert insight with Education Today on how schools can take meaningful steps to more sustainable catering.
Why is it important for schools to start implementing more sustainable practices?
Education plays a key role in shaping how children think, which includes their understanding of sustainability and planet- friendly practices. With environmental challenges only growing, it’s more
important than ever for future generations to understand their impact on the world around them. Embedding this early helps to build awareness and positive behaviours, ensuring children grow up with the knowledge needed to make more sustainable choices and support planet health.
Beyond this, sustainability is also becoming a more immediate operational and strategic priority. Public expectations are rising, with increasing regulation on how organisations manage their environmental footprint and contribute to wider climate
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When it comes to sustainable sourcing, what should schools look for from catering suppliers to ensure ingredients are responsibly procured? It’s important that schools prioritise sustainable sourcing of food, whether themselves directly or through working with suppliers. This means choosing products that are grown and harvested in ways that minimise environmental impact, such as producing less waste and carbon emissions, and minimising water usage. Sustainable sourcing also means supporting the ethical treatment of workers, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions throughout the supply chain.
When choosing suppliers, schools should be looking out for recognised sustainability accreditations to provide trust and assurance. Certification such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for fish, for example, show that products meet the correct standards around responsible
June 2026
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