Cardiff students win prestigious Green Gown Award

Cardiff People & Planet-run 'Your Uni Fruit and Veg Co-op' wins the Green Gown Award 2010 for Student Initiatives and Campaigns.

Cardiff People & Planet students are celebrating as Cardiff University’s ‘Your Uni Fruit and Veg Co-op’ wins the Green Gown Award 2010 for Student Initiatives and Campaigns. The prestigious Green Gown Awards recognise initiatives undertaken within universities and colleges which make a commitment to a more sustainable future.

The Fruit & Veg Co-op project was developed two years ago by the Cardiff Student in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and run by volunteers from Cardiff People & Planet group as part of their Going Greener campaign to make Cardiff a Transition University.

The project promotes environmental awareness and healthy eating by providing locally sourced and affordable fruit and vegetables to around 360 people each week. It also helps students and university staff save around £2.50 on the equivalent supermarket cost of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as reducing their food miles and waste packaging.

Students have also forged links with the local community as the project was developed in tandem with a cooperative in the deprived area of Riverside. Your Uni Fruit and Veg Co-op is not-for-profit and has managed to successfully raise £450 to support its partner project.

Lucy Hiscox, Your Uni Co-Ops Co-President and People & Planet member said:

Everyone involved has worked really hard to make an environmentally friendly and affordable scheme that is very popular amongst staff and students and we are really proud to receive this award.

The judges of the Green Gown Awards 2010 commented:

This is a financially sustainable project with innovative elements that could be replicated elsewhere.

Are you inspired to set up your own fruit and veg co-op in your university? Check out our Going Greener campaign for ideas, advice and resources to help you get started.