The University Caterers’ Organisation (TUCO) has unveiled a completely new brand positioning, magazine, and strategic direction for the future at a launch event hosted by the Rt Hon Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, at the House of Commons.
New brand positioning: share, learn, buy, grow
Following extensive member and supplier consultation, the new TUCO brand positioning aims to deliver more value and help to everyone within university catering and the wider industry. The basic foundations of the new TUCO are “share, learn, buy, grow”, each of which helps to deliver a better catering solution:
- Share – opportunity for members to share information and learning (access for members only).
- Learn – for information about training courses and opportunities, feedback on courses, recommendations and advice.
- Buy – details of framework agreements, market updates and supplier information (access to full pricing details for members only).
- Grow – ideas, innovation and advice to improve your catering operation. A place to go to be inspired, or to share inspiration.
50 years of advancing education and training
The event coincided with a milestone anniversary for TUCO marking 50 years of advancing education and training within university catering and hospitality, and providing quality standards, advice and information to those working in the sector. TUCO supports those who are passionate to drive health, well-being and sustainability standards on university campuses.
The past half a century has provided TUCO with a wealth of insight and experience, enabling it to share knowledge across the industry.
500+ members and their suppliers
TUCO also celebrated the hard work of its 500 plus member institutions and their suppliers, who via TUCO’s unique supplier framework, have worked effectively together to feed hundreds of thousands of students on a daily basis with quality, competitively priced meals.
TUCO’s future direction
Some of the country’s leading higher education catering professionals, Vice Chancellors and many of the UK’s Universities and Trade Associations were in attendance to celebrate TUCO’s past, and gain an insight into its future direction, as Julie Barker, TUCO Chair and Director of Accommodation & Hospitality, University of Brighton, explains;
“TUCO exists for, and because of, its members and suppliers and it has always been our mission to ensure that they are able to share, learn, buy and grow effectively thanks to our support, which has seen them achieve considerable achievements over the years – with members competing on a national scale alongside representatives from the country’s leading hospitality establishments. All of which are achievements we are incredibly proud of.
“To enhance and build upon the strengths of our offering, we are re-launching our proposition to members, industry and suppliers, our magazine, website and re-positioning of our brand to ensure that the next 50 years of TUCO continue to see our members and suppliers thrive as a result of our input, against a context of economic challenges. We know that the scale of the financial decision of choosing a university – thanks to increased tuition fees – means more competition than ever between institutions.
Quality of catering enhances the campus offering
“The more savvy universities are already using their food and beverage offering to their advantage in marketing to prospective students. Now more than ever, the student experience and wellbeing offering is assessed as a whole, with the quality of catering examined alongside accommodation, recreational and leisure facilities, transport infrastructure, academic faculties and resources. The right approach can enhance the campus offering, acting as a huge draw to students.
“This exciting new phase of TUCO is certain to have something for everyone involved in university catering.”
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the TUCO Board at the launch event – Helen Anzani (Director), Ian Macaulay (Director), Elizabeth Crawford (Director), Matthew White (Director), Frances Stone (Director), Mike Haslin (TUCO COO), Julie Barker (TUCO Chair), Alison Aucott (Director)