ProVeg UK’s flagship School Plates programme has transformed school menus across the country, switching millions of meals to delicious, plant-rich alternatives. But changing what’s on the menu at lunchtime is only half the battle. To build lasting, healthy habits, students need to understand why these sustainable choices matter. That’s why we created Canteen to Classroom.
What is Canteen to Classroom?
Our food education programme bridges the gap between what students eat and what they learn. Our resources provide schools and teachers with actionable, evidence-based food and climate education.
This year we have continued to improve our existing offering, whilst also introducing exciting new elements. We gave a face-lift to our webpage to make the resources clearer and easier to find, we launched our concise, high-impact ‘Quick Bites’ sessions for all ages (including secondary), and also delivered our first cookery workshops developed specifically for students – Cooking with Plants!
By connecting changes in school kitchens with classroom learning, ProVeg UK is helping the next generation to make informed, climate-conscious food choices that benefit both children’s health and the planet. This past school year, we have reached over 3,000 pupils through assemblies, workshops, presentations, and cookery sessions! We’re excited to continue to grow and further boost our impact.
Learn more about the vision behind Canteen to Classroom and how the programme equips children to understand the environmental and health impacts of their food here.
Our Cooking with Plants workshops allow students to pick a recipe iteration with the same starting point, showing that one base recipe can be transformed into many dishes with different spices and additional ingredients.
Here are some Canteen to Classroom highlights:
- Canteen to Classroom showcased at more than 40 events
- 3062 students and 478 staff reached with our programme
- More than 250 schools have downloaded resources from the webpage
Cooking with Plants
- Facilitated our very first student-focused cookery workshops
- Seven Cooking with Plants workshops (including three schools in Scotland) – 113 students
Following the workshops:
- 91.4% strongly agreed/agreed that they understood the impact of their food choices on their health and the environment
- 94.3% strongly agreed/agreed that they could now produce high quality, tasty & nutritious food
- 91.4% strongly agreed/agree that they understood the benefits of a plant-rich diet
- 91.5% would Definitely or Probably now try a plant-based option in the school canteen
Student feedback:
“The food was delicious! The nachos are the best. This needs to be added to the school.”
“It tasted very good. I love how some even taste like they have meat in them. I haven’t had many foods that taste similar so I’m glad I could try something new and enjoy it, while being healthy and good for the environment.”
“It tastes very good and you cannot tell that it is plant-based. I also love that there is a huge variation in plant-based foods.”
“Yes, today’s workshop have changed my mind on plant-based meals because I love them more. I think the taste changed this.”
Find out more about Canteen to Classroom here, or reach out to our Education Manager Martin Skingley at [email protected]
