Lessons in Fairtrade and healthy food from Central England Co-op

Youngsters from a Derbyshire school have learned about healthy eating and Fairtrade in a series of classes by Central England Co-operative. Fairtrade was highlighted at an assembly for 140 children from Tibshelf...

Youngsters from a Derbyshire school have learned about healthy eating and Fairtrade in a series of classes by Central England Co-operative.

Fairtrade was highlighted at an assembly for 140 children from Tibshelf Infant and Nursery School in Alfreton, who also found out about Healthy Choices workshops.

The workshops give children hands-on lessons with a range of activities, including how to make fun fruit kebabs, understand food labelling, and get portion sizes right so that no food goes to waste.

The visit, part of Fairtrade Fortnight (27 February to 12 March), is designed to educate people about how Fairtrade ensures better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers across the world.

Zoe Andrews, teacher at the school, said: “Events like these are important as the children really enjoy learning about how to make more informed choices for healthy eating and where their food comes from.”

Related: Survey shows UK adults don’t think about who is producing their food

James Knight, member and community relations officer for Central England and school governor, said: “As an ethical retailer, we are more than happy to support our local schools to help teach the importance of healthy eating and why including five portions of fruit and veg a day is important to a healthy lifestyle.

“Our aim is to educate and have a positive impact on the attitudes and behaviour of local people at an earlier age and I am delighted to have worked with Tibshelf Infant and Nursery School to help them learn more about health and wellbeing.

“The Co-operative was the first supermarket to embrace Fairtrade, so we were delighted to work with the pupils at Tibshelf to help them to learn more about ethical shopping.”

For more information on how the Society’s member and community relations team can support your local school or community group, please email [email protected]

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