Fun Recipes on Menu for Schools in Powys

A local scheme is hoping that Spider Sandwiches and Dinosaur Spaghetti will encourage children from across Powys to eat healthily.

The culinary creations feature in a new collection of books that are being dished out to pre-schools and schools across the county to help them run cooking sessions with children.

Schools and pre-schools will also be given child-friendly knives so that young pupils are able to prepare food safely as well as have the opportunity to take part in online cook-alongs and workshops.

It is a move by Bach a Iach, the healthy pre-school and Foundation Phase award scheme, that has received funding from the North Powys Wellbeing Programme. It supports the new curriculum and is being highlighted by Welsh Government’s Help Us Help You campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the small changes that people can make to help protect and improve their wellbeing.

Sarah Power is the Healthy Pre-Schools Officer at Powys Local Public Health Team:

“It’s important that children are given a healthy start in life. We also provide physical literacy development training but nutrition is an integral part of being healthy and so also hugely important. Currently, around a quarter of all children in Wales start school obese or overweight. But the good news is that we can work together to change this and make a difference.

“The Help Us Help You campaign by Welsh Government is encouraging us to take some small, simple steps to improve our health and wellbeing and we’re delighted to be recognised for playing our part in encouraging children to eat a healthy and balanced diet.”

Bach a Iach has drafted in Richard Shaw from Cooking Together to run professional training for pre-school and school staff:

“We’ve been working with Bach a Iach in Powys for the last two years. Our activities are designed to give pre-school and Foundation Phase staff the confidence to deliver successful healthy cooking activities with their pupils. It is hoped that pupils are equipped with the skills to go on and lead a healthy and happy lifestyle from a young age.” 

For recipes, online cook-alongs and healthy lunchbox ideas, please visit www.cookingtogether.co.uk/bachaiach

If you want to kickstart your journey to a healthier lifestyle, but don’t know where to start go to the Living and Feeling Well pages on the NHS 111 Wales website for tips and advice. Every change you make will help us help you.

Published: 07/03/22