Under a fifth of students (17%) said they never used refectory outlets on campus and only 26% saw them as good value, with branded outlets rated more highly, according to new research by foodservice wholesaler Brakes and the University Caterers Organisation (TUCO).
The YouGov survey of more than 1,000 students found that students spent £2.3b on food in 2016 – a figure that is set to rise by 3% over the next 12 months to £2.36bn.
Nearly a quarter (22%) identified themselves as “committed healthy eaters”, with 14% saying they are specifically vegetarian and 3% as vegan.
At breakfast, 72% of students eat at home, but those that do venture out spend just £2.01 on the occasion on average. At lunch, sandwiches are the main food choice, with hot sandwiches, jacket potatoes, pasta and soup dishes popular, with average spend at £6.90.
Evening meals see 88% of students eating where they live, but when they do eat out pizzas and pasta are the favourites and average spend is put at £7.74.
