'Food and Fun’ returns to Flintshire

Hundreds of Flintshire pupils enjoyed free nutritious meals and fun activities, this summer in schools around the county, through the Food and Fun programme.

Over 350 primary and secondary age children registered to attend this year between July 22nd and August 8th 2024.    

Participating in the programme again this year were: Ysgol Bryn Garth, Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, Queensferry Primary School, Ysgol Treffynnon, St David’s High school, Flint High, Argoed High school, Pen Coch and Ysgol Maes Hyfryd, both special schools in Flint, and Golftyn primary school and Connahs Quay, ran the programme  for the first time.

Now in its sixth year, the Food and Fun Programme is delivered by Flintshire County Council in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association, Aura Leisure, NEWydd Catering, Flintshire play development team and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. 

The children were offered a variety of engaging activities focusing on nutrition, physical activity and positive wellbeing during the 12 days that the programme ran. Each day a healthy breakfast and snack was provided by food and fun staff, whilst a hot lunch was prepared by NEWydd Catering. 

Staff at each setting planned varied timetables, a wide range of enrichment activities were offered including Xplore science, forest school, yoga, mindfulness, Twig Twisters and a bubble man. Pupils attending also enjoyed physical activity sessions, learnt about nutrition and healthy diets, gained new cookery skills and enjoyed food tasting sessions. North Wales Police also visited settings, offering pupils the opportunity to sit in the police van, try on uniform and chat with the Police officers. This year Wall-Lag (Wales) Ltd donated 400 reusable water bottles for the children attending the programme.

Feedback from the children who attend this year confirms that Food and Fun has a positive impact on pupils wellbeing, some comments captured during the programme include:

I loved doing gymnastics because I learned how to do a handstand.

My favorite thing was trying different food.

I have never tried watermelon before, that was my favorite.

The food was the best in the world.

The favorite activities this year included the bubble man, Xplore and dodgeball and the most popular meal was the Chicken curry followed closely by ham and cheese calzone pocket. 

Over the three weeks staff and pupils welcomed Flintshire County Council members who were invited to the settings to see firsthand the impact the programme is having on families in their community, members of the WLGA also visited settings. 

Approximately 200 parents, carers and siblings were also welcomed to attend for weekly lunches with staff and pupils. During the third week of the programme 4 schools provided a food bag for families which included a range of ingredients to encourage cooking over the holidays.    

Feedback captured on designated graffiti boards at each school included:

“This has been brilliant for the children. They have thoroughly enjoyed the external activities and learning about different meal choices and the importance of balanced nutrition. Thanks so much!”

“L has really enjoyed trying new things, being a fussy eater, this has been really helpful. Staff have been amazing, and activities have also been fab. Thank you to all the staff”,

Mared Eastwood, Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language and Culture said:

“Thank you to all the partners for working together to put on Food and Fun. Schemes like this are great for our communities, and its lovely to see so many of our young people and families benefiting from them.”