It's not just school dinners

Published: 26 April 2005

A new resource for children to help tackle the lack of cooking skills and promote healthy balanced eating is being launched by the UK's grain and cereals industry. The resource responds responsibly to the Government's concern about children's eating habits and addresses the Department for Education and Skills' (DfES) call for improved nutrition education and suitable resource materials (1).

The Flour and Grain Education Programme (FAGEP) has joined forces with the Kids' Cookery School (2) to create a CD for schools together with curriculum linked worksheets and supporting teachers' notes focusing on cooking skills. Children can learn about recipe development and menu planning whilst creating a selection of simple, tasty and healthy recipes including bread rolls, fruit smoothies and pizza.

The pack communicates clear messages about the importance of healthy eating, basic kitchen health and safety whilst developing lifelong cooking skills in a hands-on, engaging and fun way! As children become more confident and begin to develop basic cooking skills, they are more likely to try foods they would otherwise avoid and also to experiment with flavours and textures and turn healthy (and often perceived as 'boring' food) into a tasty and nutritious snack.

In order to appeal to teachers, the new resource addresses the lack of cooking facilities by including recipes that do not need heating. The recipes are simple and flexible and can be adapted to suit the personal taste and ethnic preferences of the children. Resources that can be used at both school and home also ensure continuity of learning and involve parents in the learning process. The new packs provide clear and detailed curriculum links and will really motivate youngsters to get cooking!

"Following recipes encourages a greater interest in food and reinforces healthy eating messages. Children are better equipped to make sensible decisions about their daily diet and prepare healthier versions of their everyday favourite foods (3). The skill of cooking is one that serves them a lifetime and gives them the power and knowledge to eat well. Established eating habits are difficult to change so the younger the child learns to cook the better!"  

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

1. The Government has recently produced the following documents which can be downloaded from the Food Standards Agency website:
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) 'Healthy Living Blueprint' (http://www.dfes.gov.uk/)

The Department of Health (DoH) 'Food in Schools Toolkit' ( http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/FoodInSchools/)

2. The Kids' Cookery School is a registered charity set up a pilot project to teach children about nutrition and healthy eating by offering cookery classes to children from the age of three upwards. KCS aims to reach the most disadvantaged and disaffected in society and it at the forefront of social inclusion offering equal opportunities to all. For more information visit our website www.thekidscookeryschool.co.uk or call 020 8 992 8882.

3. Research from Prof. John Mathers et al, the Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University. Prof Mathers presented preliminary findings from a study funded by the Food Standards Agency and is currently under peer review.

4. Recently accredited by the National Grid for Learning (NGFL), the Flour and Grain Education Programme has produced a range of education materials designed for children of all ages from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4 and NVQ. The resources look at issues relating to health and nutrition, where our food comes from, the journey from the field to the plate and maintaining energy balance.  All packs can be downloaded from the web site: www.flourandgrain.com.

Fun with Flour:  Early Years and key stage 1 pupil and teacher pack.

Flour Power: Key stage 2 pupil and teacher pack.  Includes new resource sheets and DVD focusing on cooking skills. National Curriculum programmes of study referred to include: science, maths, geography, history, design technology and English.

Healthy Living: Key stage 3 pupil and teacher pack.  Includes new resource sheets and DVD focusing on cooking skills. National Curriculum programmes of study referred to include: science, geography, food technology, PSHE

The Grain Chain: Key stage 3 /4, 'A' level and NVQ interactive CD Rom.
National curriculum programmes covered include citizenship, design and      
technology, geography, history, ICT and science.

Energy Balance: Key stage 2. Stimulating materials and activities in the pack include keeping a food diary, using pedometers to measure activity levels, learning about healthy eating and portion size, creating a healthy lunch box and playing the "energy trail" game.

5. The press materials and images of children cooking can be downloaded from the FAGEP website (www.flourandgrain.com) and can also be found on the FAB website (www.fabflour.co.uk) and the HGCA website (www.hgca.com).

The Flour and Grain Education Programme is a joint venture of the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) and the Flour Advisory Bureau (FAB). The Flour Advisory Bureau is the central source of information on all matters relating to flour and bread in the UK. The Home-Grown Cereals Authority is funded by levies on the UK cereals and oilseeds industry. With the aim of improving the production and marketing of UK grain provides market information, assist cereal product development, promote exports and fund research and development.