Thanks to the hard work of your Student Leaders over the last year, and in response to student feedback gathered through our cost-of-living research on access to affordable food while on campus, we’re pleased to share that affordable food provisions are returning to Holborn and Birmingham campuses through a new partnership with Connect Vending!
Supporting students by providing affordable food on campus is a priority of your Student President Jay Agbaje, and this initiative is an example of student feedback leading to practical action. It helps make campus life more accessible, supports student wellbeing, and provides a convenient option for students who may spend long periods studying, attending classes, or travelling to campus.
Why is this happening?
Over the past few years, students have consistently told us that the rising cost of living is affecting their university experience. One issue that came through strongly was access to affordable food while studying on campus.
In response to this feedback, Your Students' Association worked with the University to introduce a subsidised food pilot through Foodles in 2025. The initiative aimed to provide students with convenient access to affordable and nutritious meals while on campus.
Unfortunately, Foodles later ceased its UK operations, meaning the service could no longer continue. Rather than allowing the initiative to end, the University began exploring alternative providers to ensure students could continue benefiting from affordable food options on campus.
Students helped choose the new provider
Finding a replacement wasn't simply a case of selecting another supplier.
To ensure students had a genuine say in the decision, tasting sessions were organised on campus with two shortlisted providers. Students were invited to sample the food, share their views, and help shape the final decision.
Following positive feedback from students, Connect Vending was selected as the preferred provider.
Prices and payment
One of the benefits of the new service is its simplicity. Unlike the previous Foodles system, there is no need to download an app or create an account. Simply choose your item at one of the self-service smart fridges located on campus and pay directly using a debit or credit card.
- Meals and snacks available from just £1.50
- Quick and easy card payment
- Available throughout campus opening hours
Food options
Connect Vending will provide:
- Fresh meals prepared daily using quality ingredients
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Gluten-free options
- Halal options
- Clear nutritional and ingredient information
Where can I find the fridges?
Holborn Campus – Floor 1
Birmingham Campus – Floor 10
What about other campuses?
We know students at other campuses may be wondering whether similar affordable food options will become available to them in the future.
At present, the service is available at Holborn and Birmingham campuses, but the longer-term ambition is to understand how the initiative is used, the impact it has on students, and whether it can be expanded more widely across the University. The success of this initiative will depend on a range of factors, including student uptake and feedback.
A message from your Student President
"It's really positive to see affordable food provision continuing on campus through this new service. Students consistently told us how important accessible and nutritious food options are to their everyday university experience, so I'm pleased that an alternative solution has been found following the closure of the previous provider's UK operations. I'd also like to thank University colleagues who worked hard to ensure students can continue benefiting from this initiative.
As Student President, I would love to see affordable food provision become available at more Arden campuses in the future, and I look forward to seeing the impact this initiative has on students over the coming months."
- Jay Agbaje, Student President