Mandeville Primary school in Hackney weaves food education into the curriculum, teaching children how to grow, cook and eat fresh food that’s healthy and sustainable. Lessons take place on site at Hackney School of Food, bringing together chefs, gardners and educators to support children and their families to learn to cook from scratch.
- Children help to plant, grow and harvest food in the Hackney School of Food gardens.
- In the school itself, menus have been adapted to include two meat-free days and a vegetarian option every day at no extra cost.
- Kitchen staff have been upskilled to scratch cook in the school kitchen using produce from local growers and suppliers.
Louise Nichols Executive headteacher, Mandeville Primary School:
“It is possible to change your food for the better and to do it for no extra cost. If the drive is there among school leaders, governors and local authorities to make that happen, then children will eat better and be healthier, and in the future be less of a cost on our health service”
Learn more about how Mandeville is serving sustainable school meals in our Serving Better film or download the Serving Better guide and take action with your local authority.