Stephanie founded the charity School Food Matters (SFM) nine years ago after being less than impressed by the poor quality and standard of food offered her children at primary school. She was also shocked to learn from the Head Teacher that the children struggled to identify different types of food and knew nothing about how to make it or how it was sourced. Resolving to tackle this issue head on, Stephanie decided not only to start a mission to ensure that every child enjoyed fresh, sustainable food at school, but that knew where it had came from.
SFM has a broad reach, working with parents, children, caterers, policy makers, and schools to improve school meals and develop innovative food education programmes. The aim is to dispose of this barrier which divides children from the origin of their food, by engaging them in cooking, growing, and farm visits. Children are encouraged to grow their own fruit and vegetables at school and then learn what can be made with them. SFM also creates opportunities for children to sell on the produce at local markets, thereby learning more about the structures of food production and sale and allowing food technology to take on a whole new exciting and challenging dimension.
Trips to the countryside and active farms are an important part of the work of SFM. Students meet farmers, pick their own fruits and vegetables, and get a chance to understand where their food actually comes from. They are exposed to concepts of sustainability, learn about seasonality, and have a first-hand glimpse into how their food gets from the ground to supermarket shelves.
SFM has reached and inspired tens of thousands of children with their tireless work and commitment to food education. By providing them with interesting experiences beyond the classroom, the charity teaches children valuable life lessons about food, production and sustainability. Stephanie’s innovative work has a profound effect on children’s relationship with food. It is essential that this relationship continues to be interesting, interactive, and meaningful.
The CLOtC were impressed by Stephanie’s unique approach to improving food education in schools and her desire to ensure that positive food education programmes become set features of school calendars. It is because of this that SFM has become a force for lasting social change in the UK.
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