Case Studies
Case Study - A Typical School
Middleton primary school, Leeds
Although the lunches had become healthier as a result of new Government guidelines, staff at Middleton Primary School found themselves continually throwing away fresh food which the children would not eat. They felt that this was because children had become so accustomed to ready-meals the children had lost the ability to appreciate real food.
In an attempt to address this pressing concern, the school contacted PhunkyFoods for help. Consequently, a new class was added to the usual Year 1 timetable to help change the children’s attitudes towards healthy-eating.
The new class, run by Phunky Foods, is described as ‘a hands-on, child-friendly programme which promotes education and experience as the means to enjoyment’ by Chloe Adair, the programme lead at the school. During some of the classes, Chloe recalls how, ‘we introduced a range of recipes including smoothies. Real fruit was brought in to show the kids what they were eating – many had never seen a fresh whole pineapple before and some didn’t know that chips came from potatoes!’
The lunchtime catering staff also hand out stickers to children who choose healthy options which is great for overcoming neophobia by leveraging positive peer pressure and reinforcing the message of positive praise.’
What were the outcomes and benefits?
Before PhunkyFoods many children would arrive at school having not had breakfast and snacking on sweets. In contrast, now the school has set up and is running a successful ‘breakfast club’ at which pupils and staff enjoy toast, cereal and fruit juice. Also, consumption of chicken, pasta, dips and salad at lunchtime has vastly increased.
Has school meal uptake increased as a result? What about quality of packed lunches (Are they visibly healthier)?
Chloe Adair, (Key Stage 2 teacher) says that ‘The children are definitely more able to identify healthy choices now – we encourage them to design their own healthy meals. Recently an external presenter not involved with the PhunkyFoods project asked them “what do you need to be healthy?” and, amazingly, they responded with words like “carbohydrates”, “vitamins”, “nutrients”, and “fats and oils”. Knowledge has definitely increased and the children are now beginning to actively opt for healthy foods.’
Sustainability
Chloe believes that PhunkyFoods is much more than ‘a fad’ at Middleton School – it is ‘a strategy for long-term success’.
She says, ‘Based on education rather than imposition children are actively learning rather than passively being told what to eat. They learn that chocolate and crisps are not forbidden, but that they ought to be eaten in moderation, and why.
‘With so many junk food messages at large it is a long-term task to bring about a culture change but in a short time the response has been excellent!’