Tesco is donating £4 million worth of fruit and vegetables to 400 schools, along with slow cookers to help kids learn cooking skills and enjoy healthy meals.
Birmingham: Tesco is on a mission to help kids eat healthier. They’re giving £4 million in fruit and vegetables to 400 schools across the UK. This initiative targets schools in areas with high free school meal participation. Many families struggle to afford healthy food, so this support is crucial.
As part of the campaign, Tesco is also providing slow cookers to these schools. While slow cookers are common at home, having them in classrooms is a new idea. This will help kids learn to cook and enjoy the veggies they receive.
The goal is to teach children cooking skills early on. Studies show kids are more likely to eat vegetables if they help prepare them. Schools like Holly Hill Church School in Rubery are already benefiting from this program.
Michelle Evans, the bursar at Holly Hill, shares that they use a Tesco gift card to buy fresh produce. She emphasizes the importance of relieving pressure on parents in their community. The kids get to try new fruits and vegetables, which is exciting for them.
Assistant headteacher Cally Parsonage is eager to use the slow cookers in lessons. Cooking can tie into math, science, and literacy. Kids will see their food cooked from start to finish, making the experience more engaging.
With 400 schools participating, they can shop for the fruits and veggies they need. The slow cooker idea came from a teacher who started a cooking club. This initiative allows students to prepare meals and share them with their families.
Claire De Silva from Tesco highlights the positive impact of this program. It provides essential nutrients to children in challenging communities. The slow cookers will encourage kids to try healthy foods and develop lifelong habits.
Research shows that learning to cook young can lead to better eating habits later. Currently, only 12% of kids meet the five-a-day fruit and vegetable recommendation. Tesco aims to increase this intake by 23% among participating students.
Chef Poppy O’Toole supports the campaign, stressing the importance of nutritious food for young people. Involving kids in cooking helps them try new foods and build healthy habits.
Elaine Hindal from the British Nutrition Foundation is thrilled with the program’s success. Nearly 2.5 million portions of fruit and vegetables have been delivered to schools. The variety of produce is impressive, introducing kids to new foods they might not otherwise try.
