Aramark helps college produce its own meat, milk and veg

A Devon college caterer is aiming to produce all its own milk, meat and vegetables on-site by 2020, with the help of foodservice firm Aramark, the company has announced.

The in-house farm-style café also serves homemade chutneys and cakes, and is staffed by Aramark employees and students who the college feels would benefit from the employment experience and life skills learned as part of the work.

The next plan is to sell cuts of Bicton-reared meat, including joints and chops, in "take-home meat packs", that both staff and students will be able to purchase (with any off-cuts bought by local butcher Paul Gubbins). The long-term aim, in addition to these already-impressive credentials, is to get students harvesting vegetables and milking the land's 200 cows for the college's own milk supply.

"The cows will eventually become a real asset for dairy produce," explained Evans. "We're looking at avenues to have the milk treated and pasteurised off-site to be delivered back for use in our kitchens."

Aramark has said it will stay involved with the college to ensure the scheme continues to develop.