Last week, we went to the Houses of Parliament to make our voices heard on universal free school meals. A new report from Barnardo’s has revealed that nearly one in five UK parents have to buy unhealthy food for their children because they can’t afford healthier options, whilst School Food Matters reported that 25% of teachers use their own money to feed pupils.
For over 20 years, Food for Life has been working with schools, nurseries and caterers across the UK to get meals that are at least 75% freshly prepared with whole and minimally processed ingredients on our plates.
As we reach the end of a very busy year for all of us in the food world, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the successes and challenges we’ve faced and our hopes for 2025.
In Oxfordshire, Oxford City Farm celebrated Cook and Share by cooking two different soups: pumpkin and chestnut and minestrone. They organised two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening. Participants made a simple soup recipe, something that everyone could get involved with regardless of their cooking experience.
To celebrate both Cook and Share and Diwali, Newbold Verdon Primary School got cooking with their early years pupils. Usually they celebrate by making sweets, but this year Cook and Share’s free toolkit of resources inspired them to give a savoury snack a go.
To celebrate Cook and Share, Sound Primary School in Shetland organised a pizza making activity. Head Cook Alison heard about Cook and Share and knew it was something they had to get involved with. The plan was to tie it in with the Year Five leadership activity, helping them to practise decision making and working together as a team.
Pupils at West Northamptonshire primary school Spring Lane have been growing as part of Plant and Share month, sowing potato, coriander and spring onion seeds as well as creating growing packs.
Food for Life provided as a solution to ultra-processed foods in a letter to Prime Minister. Read about it here.
Pupils, families and staff are getting together at Kingfisher Primary School in Chatham for a fun-filled Cook and Share after-school event.
We spoke to Lindsay, founder and CEO of Community Supporters, to find out how cooking can support wider education and be a connector across communities.
As part of Cook and Share we celebrated Roast Dinner Day. Learn more about it here.
