A SALISBURY firm has helped Southampton Solent become the first UK University to encourage eco-innovation in the form of a healthy vending concept on campus.

Revive Vending has created honest café, which is all about locally-sourced low calorie organic options.

Soft drinks high in sugar and snacks high in fat have been struck from the menu and replaced with locally-sourced, low-calorie organic options.

Alongside a wide selection of juices, fruit teas, flavoured popcorn and baked vegetable snacks, the honest café also provides Fairtrade tea, latte, cappuccino and hot chocolate – all made using fat-free skimmed milk.

Tim Varney, managing director of Revive Vending, said: “It’s great to see the honest café installed at Southampton Solent University.

“This is the first ever example of this type of offer in the country and vending will never be quite the same again.”

Tim has made this eco-project a family affair with his wife and family involved in co-designing, constructing and painting the vending machines and installing signage using reclaimed pallets and recycled hessian to give it an earthy atmosphere.

Bryan Carroll, deputy director of estates and facilities at Southampton Solent said: “The University and Sodexo have been champions of promoting innovative, ethical and healthy food choices on campus for a number of years.

“It’s great to have a healthy vending option to add to the menu.”