Retailer is backing initiative with £500,000 of investment
Lidl is encouraging teachers across the UK to sign up to the second year of its Foodies schools programme, with the first 750 schools to register receiving a £100 Lidl gift card.
In its first year in 2024, the the free initiative – which aims to inspire healthier habits in classrooms – reached more than 200,000 pupils. Lidl Foodies lesson plans have already been downloaded by over 10 per cent of UK primary schools nationwide, the discounter said, helping teachers introduce children to the “taste, texture and joy” of healthy food.
The programme, which is delivered across three modules over the school year, was developed after research showed that 73 per cent of teachers felt unprepared to teach diet diversity, often due to lack of resources, training or time.
Lidl said that results have shown that, after just one year, its Foodies programme is already closing that gap.
In a survey of more than 500 teachers who took part last year, three in four reported that their pupils were more excited about trying new fruit and veg, and almost 60 per cent said children are now eating more of it as a result.
Some schools have been inspired to go even further, with teachers and pupils planting vegetable patches so they can grow and taste their own produce.
Backed by more than £500,000 of investment over two years, Lidl Foodies provides teachers with free interactive lesson plans, vouchers to buy fruit and veg for tastings, and a suite of resources that make healthy eating engaging and accessible.
Delivered via the National Schools Partnership, the workshops encourage pupils to explore, taste and create with fresh produce through a mix of hands-on learning and fun activities.
Lidl said it now wants to build on this momentum by encouraging even more primary schools to join Year Two of Lidl Foodies. Participating schools will continue to benefit from free lesson plans, interactive resources and funding to bring fresh fruit and veg into the classroom.
Matt Juden-Bloomfield, head of sustainability at Lidl GB, said: “At Lidl GB, we believe that as many as possible should have a ‘vegucation’. That’s what Lidl Foodies is all about – showing pupils that fruit and veg can be fun, flavourful and full of goodness.
“In just one year, over 200,000 children have tasted new ingredients, discovered where their food comes from, and some have even started growing their own greens. Teachers tell us it’s opening up kids’ vocabulary around food and growing their confidence.
“Healthy habits don’t happen overnight but, by planting the right seeds early, together we can nurture a generation that feels at home with healthy food. That’s why we’ve invested over £500,000 in Lidl Foodies – and we’re encouraging even more teachers to join us to ‘vegucate’ the nation.”
