Annual Catering Package

The annual catering package offers a convenient, prepaid option that ensures your meals on campus are covered every week. With the flexibility to choose from 12 different University cafes, you can enjoy a wide variety of food and drink options throughout the term.

How Your Catering Package Works

Welcome to Newcastle University. We hope your time here has been enjoyable so far. If you’ve chosen our annual catering package and are looking for more details, here’s how it works.

Your catering package provides £50 per week (during term time) to spend across all University-owned cafes. Each week, your food fob—a small, cashless smart card or key-fob is topped up, allowing you the flexibility to buy meals, drinks, snacks, or even a sweet treat from any of the 12 cafes on campus.

Our cafes cater to a wide range of dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and halal options, ensuring there’s something for everyone. You can find the full list of our cafes here.

What could you get for £50 each week?

Where can I use it?

You can spend your allowance in any of our 12 University cafes. These are spread across campus, meaning you're never far from one. Each of our cafes is different, offering a unique menu and atmosphere, so you can choose depending on your mood.

Atrium: exclusively for postgraduate students and staff, serving barista coffee and snacks
Bites: made to order deli style sandwiches, jacket potatoes, salad boxes
Business School Cafe: barista coffee, light lunches and snacks
Catalyst: barista coffee, light lunches and sweet treats
Chicken Shack: a selection of burgers and wraps (plant-based versions also available)
Courtyard: a range of hot food choices including cooked breakfasts, pizza, fish and chips, Aisian Fusion at the Oishi Counter and light bites
The Grand: barista coffee, light lunches and sweet treats
Daysh Cafe: barista coffee, sandwiches, paninis and sweet treats
Robinson Library Cafe: hot and cold drinks, light lunches and snacks
Sports Cafe: Starbucks coffee, sandwiches and high-protein snacks
Urban: made to order deli style sandwiches, jacket potatoes and light snacks
Walton Library: barista coffee, sandwiches and light snacks

Find out more about our cafes

Frequently asked questions

What does the Annual Catering Package cover?

The Annual Catering Package covers your breakfast and lunch seven days a week if you choose to spend the weekly allowance of £50 wisely.

How does it work?

You receive an allowance of £50 per week on your Fob. This Fob becomes your payment method and can be used to purchase any food or drink item from our 12 campus cafes. When you get to the till, instead of paying using your bank card, you scan your Fob. The cost of your item(s) will then be deducted from the £50 weekly balance on your account. And that's it.

When can I use my allowance?

You can use it during term time at all campus cafes from Monday to Friday. It's also applicable in cafés that remain open on weekends, such as the Robinson Library Café and Sports Centre Café.

What if I don't spend all of my weekly budget?

You can use spend your funds from Mon-Sun. Please ensure you use your weekly budget by the end of the week as it expires on a Sunday at 11.59pm and resets on a Monday at 12.01am

How do I check my balance?

The quickest way to check your current balance is to scan your fob at any university cafe. Each till has a fob reader that displays your balance when scanned.

Does the Annual Catering Package cater for dietary requirements?

Of course! We cater for those following a vegan, vegetarian and halal diet. You can also find a detailed allergen list here.

What happens if I lose my fob?

If you lose your fob, just let the friendly team at the Catering Hub know as soon as possible via catering@ncl.ac.uk or 0191 208 6363. They can then cancel your lost Fob so nobody else can use it and order you a new one. As soon as you receive this, you’ll be able to start spending your credit right away. Please note that replacement fobs will incur a fee.

Where to eat