With the help of Quorn Superheroes, Hope and Max, the children and staff from Crocketts Community School in Sandwell, West Midlands, enjoyed hands-on activities, including cookery demonstrations, tastings, and educational talks on the health benefits of Quorn for both them and the planet.
Phil Thornborrow, head of foodservice at Quorn, said: “There are a whole host of benefits to be gained from offering meat free options on school menus and, with many schools now serving Quorn, there’s never been a better time to review menus and drive positive change.
“These sessions play a vital role in educating children on the importance of sustainable nutrition as well as the value of protein as part of a varied and balanced diet. If every 16-year-old pupil in the UK swapped beef mince for Quorn Mince once a week they would reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of flying from London to Glasgow over 6.5 million times. 2”
The school also went meat free for the day, which equates to a saving of enough carbon to fly from Birmingham to Paris 16 times, and enough water to last one person for 10 years.
Pupils were also given the chance to win £500 of sports equipment for their school as part of a ‘Create Your Own Superhero’ competition. Children were invited to draw their superhero on activity sheets provided, which must then be uploaded to the Quorn Foodservice website by a parent or guardian by 21st December to enter.
Lynne Paino, Headteacher at Crocketts Community School, said: “The pupils thoroughly enjoyed hearing all about just how fun food can be. Through a stimulating learning environment – and with the guidance of SIPS and Quorn – the children have gained so much insight into how healthy food can help them to reach their full potential and benefit the planet at the same time.”
The day was delivered in partnership with SIPS Catering, a subsidiary of SIPS Education, which provides a range of bespoke specialist support services to schools including catering, IT, HR, and governance services.
Catering activities were designed to coincide with the launch of its autumn/winter menu, and the introduction of ‘Meat Free Mondays’ to a portfolio of schools in the West Midlands.
Richard Eyley, head of catering at SIPS Catering, said: “This has been a great opportunity for us to show how, as a specialist education caterer, we can unite with schools to educate the next generation on the benefits of being healthy, and making informed food choices.”