The School Foods Trust (SFT) has made a bid for National Lottery funding for a network of cookery clubs it hopes will change school childrens’ attitudes to food.

SFT chief executive Judy Hargadon said that even if the lottery bid was unsuccessful the organisation would push ahead with the scheme and rely instead on fundraising.

“Let’s Get Cooking is aimed at addressing the lack of basic cooking skills in many UK households and promoting healthy eating,” said Hargadon told the Fit 4 Pace conference in Coventry yesterday.

The scheme is not intended to turn people into chefs, but instead build the confidence and interest in food of households that may have had no exposure to cooking through school or from their parents.

After a demonstration on how to prepare a dish and cook it, children and parents would be encouraged to try it together in their own homes.

“We envisage a network of clubs across the country, which would be self sufficient and not fade away over time as Government priorities shift, as they inevitably do,” said Hargadon.

SFT consultation on cookery clubs >>

View more news and analysis on school meals here >>

PACE website >> 

By Chris Druce

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