ZERO dairy: 1 month

Win a FREE gift!

We want to hear from you regarding our BIG switch to dairy-free alternatives. Complete the survey and you will be entered into a draw to win a surprise gift from us, or our partner suppliers, Violife or Rebel Kitchen! One of our prizes includes a brand new Apple Watch! 

Complete the survey here

Join our BIG experiment!

As part of our commitment to promoting sustainable solutions, 'the BIG experiment' is Taste Imperial's new campaign to reduce our carbon emissions by switching to dairy-free alternatives. We've partnered with two dairy-free brands in the UK, Violife and Rebel Kitchen, to supply delicious dairy-free alternatives. Selected outlets (The Loud Bird and The College Cafe) will transform their coffee bars and only serve dairy-free alternatives. During the campaign, our plant-based outlet, Plantowrks, will takeover the Neo Pizza outlet, only serving a non-dairy Mozerella alternative.

The experiment will run from Wednesday 4 May until Tuesday 31 May 2022. 

For more information about the campaign, you can contact us via email, cateringsustainability@imperial.ac.uk.  

The BIG experiment - The process

Why are we switching to dairy-free?

There has been significant research surrounding the ways in which non-dairy alternatives are better for the environment compared with dairy, as they use less land, less water and generate lower amounts of greenhouse gases. This means, a switch to non-dairy alternatives presents a pathway to transition to a more sustainable diet, as we are able to reduce our environmental footprint.

A global transformation towards sustainable food systems is crucial for delivering on climate change mitigation targets worldwide.

The food system is responsible for roughly 21–37% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Did you know, producing a glass of dairy milk every day for a year requires 650 sq m (7,000 sq ft) of land, the equivalent of two tennis courts? (BBC). Startling facts such as this is the reason why a transition to sustainable diets is being widely promoted. 

We want to positively contribute to the environment, and campaigning to drive changes within Taste Imperial's offering is the start. 

How does the experiment work?

For the entire month of May 2022, selected Taste Imperial outlets (The Loud Bird and The College Cafe) will only serve dairy-free alternatives for our coffee and tea offerings. Also, the Neo Pizza outlet will only serve a Violife vegan alternative. The White City campus will also be participating in the BIG experiment - Wolfson will be offering the option to choose a dairy-free alternative for all coffee and tea purchases. 

We've partnered with two of the best dairy-free brands in the UK (Violife and Rebel Kitchen), to supply the delicious dairy-free alternatives.

Violife and Rebel Kitchen will be hosting various informational events on the South Kensington and White City campuses. Event dates will be listed here when they become available. 

How do I participate in the experiment?

By choosing to purchase our dairy-free items, you're automatically participating in the experiment to reduce our carbon emissions. As part of the experiment, we want to hear your feedback. We're offering all participants an opportunity to win a FREE gift from either Taste Imperial or our suppliers, Violife andd Rebel Kitchen, by simply submitting feedback about our BIG switch. Once we hear from our participants, we will use the data to make an informed decision about the future of Taste Imperial's offering. 

Complete the survey here

Giveaway prizes

Taste Imperial:

  • Food vouchers for selected outlets

Violife:

  • Apple watches

Rebel Kitchen:

  • Rebel Bytes Chocolate
  • Rebel Bytes Caramel
  • Banana Rebel Shakes
  • Chocolate Rebel Shakes
  • Emily Veg Thins BBQ
  • Emily Veg Thins Sea Salt
  • Emily Veg Thins Sour Cream & Onion

This figure is based on a 200ml cup of coffee using dairy-free alternatives compared with dairy.

This figure is based on a 500g cheese serving per pizza.