Food for Life and Medway Public Health partnership launches
We have committed to a three-year project with Food for Life, making good food top of the menu, and curriculum, for Medway schools.
Schools across the district are working with Food for Life, a Soil Association programme. The aim is to make nutritious food a core part of their education and school experience – from eating tasty, balanced meals at lunch time, to growing their own veg in school gardens.
On a mission to support healthier food environments in schools in a sustainable way, and tackle increasing levels of childhood obesity in the district, Medway Council has commissioned Food for Life to work with the Medway Food Partnership and other health and nutrition schemes.
Bringing sustainability and healthy food together
Councillor David Brake, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Public Health, said: “I’m pleased that schools across Medway have already expressed an interest in the Food for Life project, bringing sustainability and healthy food together for the young people of Medway. Not only can pupils enjoy nutritious meals from Food for Life Served Here, they can also learn how to grow their own healthy food - a valuable and sustainable lesson which can be shared at home with family. The programme provides tasty menus and food education, so I would encourage schools to find out more. The initiative supports our aspiration to become a child-friendly city, putting young people at the heart of everything we do.”
Food for Life’s ethos is good food for all. The organisation believes all children should receive at least one, sustainable meal a day, whilst also understanding and enjoying what good food is. It’s not just what pupils eat at lunchtime that plays a pivotal role in the health and wellbeing of school pupils – and work is ongoing throughout Medway schools to embed food education across the school day. Positive changes stretch from improvements to the lunchtime experience, such as the use of proper cutlery and plates, to understanding more about food miles and farm visits.
Providing the tools to a healthy and fruitful life
Work has already begun at St James Church of England Primary Academy. Headteacher Fay Cordingley is thrilled to be working with Food for Life: “We are pleased to have started our journey with Food for Life. Arming our children with the tools to enjoy a healthy and fruitful life is one of our main aims - we strive to highlight the benefits derived from cooking and eating fresh, healthy produce.”
Healthy living in the school and local community
The Rowans AP Academy are also on board. Donna Banks leads Food Technology at the school and is passionate about cooking, growing, reducing food waste and teaching students where food comes from. She commented: "We are excited to share our facilities and be part of this opportunity, further developing the healthy living of our school and our local community. We’re looking forward to getting started!”
Support, resources and good food available
Local Programme Manager, Grace Dennis, will be working with up to 85 schools across the district to embed good food into the curriculum, lunch hall and overall school ethos. She says: “I’m delighted to be supporting schools across the Medway district with their whole-school food approach. This is an exciting new programme for schools to be a part of, which celebrates and champions good food, and provides schools with free training opportunities, a wealth of resources, and individual support. If you are a school in Medway who would like to find out more about this opportunity, please email me at: gdennis@soilassociation.org.
As part of the Food for Life award, school caterers work towards the Food for Life Served Here (FFLSH) awards. FFLSH is a sustainable catering certification that ensures food is at least 75% freshly prepared, uses seasonal ingredients where possible and the School Food Standards are met as a minimum.
To find out more about Food for Life.