Schools across Barking and Dagenham came together to launch the new Good Food Education Charter, a borough-wide initiative designed to strengthen food education and promote positive food cultures in schools.
Developed in partnership with BDSIP, the charter provides schools with a practical framework and online toolkit to support a whole-school approach to food. The resource aims to help schools connect classroom learning, dining experiences, health and wellbeing, community engagement and environmental sustainability.
The launch came at an important time following the release of updated School Food Standards and built on existing Healthy Schools and enrichment work taking place across the borough.
The charter was piloted during the previous term with Marsh Green Primary School, Beam Primary School and Robert Clack Secondary School. Participating schools reported that the framework provided a useful structure for self-evaluation and offered practical guidance for embedding food education across school and community settings.
Early feedback also showed that some schools had begun exploring how School Food Standards could be extended into breakfast provision.
The launch event, titled Good Food Education: Growing, Learning, Thriving, brought together school leaders, teachers and partners to share best practice and explore how food education can contribute to children's health, wellbeing and life chances.
The programme included presentations from local schools, updates on Healthy Schools London and Barking & Dagenham Together catering support, a keynote address from CJ Jackson, and an interactive workshop focused on shaping the future of food education across the borough.
The Good Food Education Charter is founded on the principle that every child should have access to healthy, sustainable and enjoyable food at school, while recognising the important role food education plays in developing life skills, wellbeing and community connections.
Cllr Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Education & Schools said:
"Food plays an important role in children's health, wellbeing and ability to learn. This new Good Food Education Charter gives schools across Barking and Dagenham practical support to help children develop positive relationships with food, understand where it comes from and build important life skills for the future.
"We're proud to be working with schools and partners to create opportunities for children to learn, grow and thrive. By taking a whole-school approach to food, we can help ensure every child has access to healthy, sustainable and enjoyable food experiences throughout their education."
Read more about the Good Food Education Charter here: https://goodfoodeducationcharter.com/