Category: Education

Photo Credit: Veg Ware ‘Eat Them To Defeat Them’, which takes place from 20th February to 31st March 2023, is an annual campaign run by Veg Power to encourage primary schoolchildren to eat more vegetables. According to Veg Power, nearly a third of children aren’t eating enough vegetables, which is critical to their health. Since the campaign…

It’s estimated that two children, on average, in every class, in every school has a food allergy, while experts predict that 70% of the population could have a food allergy by 2060. Schools therefore play a pivotal role to ensure meals are fully inclusive for all students. “We regularly hear from parents of allergic children…

Pulled pork tacos, buttermilk chicken, curries and sticky Korean chicken are just some of the dishes served at Giddy Kippers Party and Play Centre in Nelson, Lancashire, where head chef Sam Taylor- Bolshaw is dramatically changing the perception of food served at children’s indoor play centres. Sam knows the centre well as he started out…

Wonderbloom Nature Nursery offers a ‘forest school’ approach at its two sites in Woking, Surrey. Children are encouraged to learn outside virtually all the time, giving them the opportunity to explore the natural environment. Sammy Rogers, co-founder and education director, says, “We are inspired by this approach as it provides children with regular and prolonged…

Emma Keyworth is the gardener at Washingborough Academy, Lincolnshire, which has a 300sqm organic kitchen garden, including a polytunnel, bee hives, a Lincolnshire Heritage orchard and free range chickens. HOW CAN SCHOOLS GET STARTED WITH A KITCHEN GARDEN? Start by growing seeds in trays on the windowsills in classrooms – no space is too small.…

Setting up a food education hub at a school provides students with the opportunity to learn about food by growing and cooking it. The hub not only has educational benefits but can also generate additional income for the school. Charity Chefs in Schools has developed a free toolkit to help schools create their own food…

Caterers in the education sector have one of the most difficult jobs in foodservice – their audience is at best discerning! Caterers for younger children have to encourage even the fussiest of pupils to eat and in higher education, students are more cost conscious, trend aware and plant-based or free-from foods are a focus. As…

Enabling children to grow their own fruit and vegetables, prepare and cook food, discuss food sources and learn about recycling are some of the recommendations set out in last year’s policy paper on sustainability and climate change for education, issued by the Department of Education. Washingborough Academy in Lincolnshire has been implementing these recommendations for…

Research by Dr Samantha Mudie, whilst undertaking her doctorate in energy reduction in commercial kitchens, has proven that energy reductions of over 70% can be made in school kitchens by turning appliances off when not in use and being mindful of how equipment is used. Dr Mudie is not only an energy reduction specialist, she…