A Monmouthshire County Council school project working to increase the uptake of free school meals, proves a recipe for success.

The Chwedlau Bwyd | Food Stories project has been all about making food fun, reaching more than 150 pupils in Year 3 with a creative and playful approach to food education. It’s not just about eating; it’s about building confidence and a love for trying new foods.

With hands-on cooking sessions inspired by school meals, sensory exploration and storytelling, the project is changing how children think about their meals at school.

Fun activities, like blind taste tests, let children discover new ingredients—like fresh vegetables and dark chocolate—in a friendly and supportive environment, leading to exciting reactions and a growing interest in healthier options.

Family involvement has been crucial to the success. Families were invited to sample the delicious meals prepared by the children, which sparked conversations about making healthy food choices at home. Additionally, families received meal kits to recreate the recipes together, turning cooking into a fun bonding experience.

The council partnered with talented Welsh storytellers Tamar Eluned Williams and Ceri John Phillips to help explore the stories behind food and culture. By using traditional storytelling in the Welsh language, pupils were inspired to create their own ‘Food Stories,’ enhancing their vocabulary in both Welsh and English in a playful way.

Notably, the project emphasised sustainability, utilising local surplus apples and community-grown vegetables to celebrate Welsh produce and promote the importance of sustainable food systems.

Thanks to this engaging approach, more pupils choose nutritious meals from their school menu, significantly boosting their enjoyment and confidence about lunchtime.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing & Tourism, Cllr Sara Burch, said: “Free school meals for all in our Primary schools take the pressure off parents and give all children a healthy lunch. Some children are reluctant to try unfamiliar foods at lunchtime, so projects like this allow them to try foods in a fun setting without the pressure to eat it is really important.

“This has been a brilliant project to get everyone cooking and eating together, discussing food and trying new things”.

This project has been funded by Monmouthshire Food Partnership and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Community Development / Shared Prosperity Fund / Monmouthshire Food Partnership

Tags: Community Development, Food partnership, SPF