{"id":603,"date":"2024-09-17T10:52:19","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T09:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/?p=603"},"modified":"2025-10-06T10:53:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T09:53:46","slug":"enhancing-sustainable-practices-at-lilys-social-kitchen-a-project-by-perla-errasti-hernandez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/2024\/09\/17\/enhancing-sustainable-practices-at-lilys-social-kitchen-a-project-by-perla-errasti-hernandez\/","title":{"rendered":"Enhancing Sustainable Practices at Lily\u2019s Social Kitchen: A Project by Perla Errasti Hernandez"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lily\u2019s Social Kitchen, a social enterprise based in Canterbury and Ashford, is known for its dedication to providing work opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment, such as neuro-divergent young people and those with Down\u2019s Syndrome. By offering work experience and training through their caf\u00e9, catering services, and social caf\u00e9s, Lily\u2019s mission is to place their team members with local employers once they have gained confidence and certification. Their commitment extends beyond employment \u2013 they also prioritise sustainability and ethical sourcing of ingredients.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of the University of Kent\u2019s <\/span>Student Impact Challenge,<\/span> postgraduate student Perla Errasti Hernandez (International Business and Management) took on a project to conduct an audit of Lily\u2019s suppliers and ingredients. The aim was to ensure that Lily\u2019s Social Kitchen continues to align with its mission of sourcing sustainable and ethical ingredients, as well as maximising its relationship with Fareshare, an organisation that helps redistribute surplus food to reduce waste.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Project Overview:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Perla\u2019s task was to evaluate whether Lily\u2019s was sourcing its ingredients from the best ethical and local suppliers, and to assess whether they were making the most of their partnership with Fareshare. The project aligned with Lily\u2019s mission to support local communities and promote sustainable practices.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“The experience has been truly enlightening and has allowed me to connect with such an important project, while at the same time increasing my awareness about the critical role that sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility play in creating a better world,”<\/span><\/i> Perla reflected.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Her approach involved researching Lily\u2019s current suppliers, investigating how well they aligned with the organisation\u2019s sustainability goals, and identifying opportunities for improvement. This involved assessing the local, organic, and ethical sourcing of produce, as well as evaluating the efficiency of their partnership with Fareshare.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Research Findings and Insights<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Perla\u2019s research culminated in a detailed report and final presentation that provided Lily\u2019s Social Kitchen with actionable insights. Her recommendations included continuing partnerships with certain suppliers that aligned well with their sustainability mission and identifying new opportunities to strengthen their procurement strategy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“From sourcing locally-grown, organic produce to providing job training and employment opportunities, Lily\u2019s commitment to environmental stewardship and social impact has been truly inspiring,”<\/span><\/i> Perla shared. <\/span>“The knowledge and experiences I acquired during this collaboration will undoubtedly shape my future endeavours, and I look forward to applying the lessons on sustainability and ethical business practices.”<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Throughout the project, Perla deepened her understanding of how social enterprises operate, particularly in balancing the challenges of running a business with a strong ethical focus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Positive Feedback from Lily\u2019s Social Kitchen<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lily\u2019s Social Kitchen was impressed with Perla\u2019s dedication and the valuable insights she provided. Vanessa Hayes, General Manager at Lily\u2019s, commented on the success of the project:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Communication was fantastic, and it was evident that Perla put a lot of effort into this project. Her final presentation gave us some crucial info to move forward with certain suppliers and will go a long way to assist with future procurement.”<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Vanessa acknowledged the challenges of coordinating meetings due to busy schedules but praised the flexibility and determination of both parties in making the project a success.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Takeaways and Future Impact<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This project offered Perla a unique opportunity to apply her academic knowledge to a real-world challenge, providing her with hands-on experience in sustainability and ethical business practices. The audit not only gave Lily\u2019s Social Kitchen valuable insights into their supply chain but also reinforced their commitment to sustainable and local sourcing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“This project allowed me to develop my research capabilities and gain a deeper understanding of sustainability within the food industry. It reinforced my passion for corporate social responsibility and gave me invaluable insights for my future career,”<\/span><\/i> Perla said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Her work highlighted the importance of corporate social responsibility in business, and the project underscored how social enterprises like Lily\u2019s can make a meaningful impact on both their communities and the environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn More About the Student Impact Challenge:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Perla\u2019s project with Lily\u2019s Social Kitchen is one of many examples of how the <\/span>Student Impact Challenge<\/span><\/b> empowers University of Kent students to apply their academic skills in meaningful ways, while making a real difference to local businesses and communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Interested in gaining real-world experience like Perla?<\/span><\/b> Find out more about the <\/span>Student Impact Challenge<\/span><\/b> and how to get involved <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. Applications for 2024 close on 6th October 2024!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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