New generation of gardeners produce food for fresh school menu

A primary school’s gardening club is growing vegetables for its canteen menu to boost healthy eating and champion local produce.

Ysgol Henblas in Ynys Môn (Anglesey) received new and improved kitchen equipment through the local authority in preparation for the Welsh Government’s Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) programme. It uses this equipment to prepare fresh meals using produce from the school garden.

In partnership with Medwyns of Ynys Môn, a local vegetable seed supplier, every Tuesday afternoon children and parent volunteers harvest fresh vegetables for the school menu as part of the school’s gardening club.

Connections

The gardening club initiative began when ICL Growing Solutions, an international agricultural, food and industrial products company, visited the school for a gardening session. These sessions laid the foundation for the children to understand food production, their local context, and develop a love for the outdoors.

Headteacher Huw Jones said: “The children are fully invested in the process from seed to harvest and they’re taking pride in their work and what they’ve grown. They see the food come straight from the garden to the kitchen, and the children love to share the experience with others.

“As well as trying out the food as part of their school meal, the children also benefit from food-related resources, like pupil-designed illustrated guides on how to grow their own potatoes and vegetables at home.”

Free school meals

Free school meals are now received by 95% of pupils at Ysgol Henblas since the rollout of the UPFSM programme.

School leaders report seeing an increase in interest in signing up for free school meals since the gardening club began growing vegetables for the school canteen.

In addition to UPFSM, 10% of the children in Ysgol Henblas are eligible for the School Essentials Grant.

Mr Jones added: “We are working closely with Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn to spread the message via our communication channels about accessing the School Essentials Grant. We’re keen to promote the support available so that eligible families can get help with school costs.”

Flexible

Sian Morgan, head of catering at Ysgol Henblas, said she enjoys seeing children sit down to their free school meals prepared with ingredients grown on site.

“The school menu is flexible and adaptable to cater for a range of different needs,” Mrs Morgan said.

“The gardening club offers learners a chance to be introduced to a variety of fresh vegetables and perhaps things they have not tried before.”

Wales began the UPFSM programme in September 2022. Since then, more than 30 million meals have been served across Wales, with an additional 175,000 learners entitled to a free school meal. Wales is the first UK nation to provide every primary school child with a free school meal.

Families with children in reception to year 11 on lower incomes and in receipt of some benefits can apply for the School Essentials Grant. Parents and carers can claim up to £200 for school essentials to help cover school uniform, sports kit and stationery. When children are eligible for the School Essentials Grant, their school also receives additional funding.

To check your eligibility and for more information on help with school costs, visit: www.gov.wales/get-help-school-costs.