Lidl GB is encouraging teachers across the country to sign up to the second year of its Foodies schools programme, after the free initiative inspired healthier habits in classrooms and reached more than 200,000 pupils in its first year alone. The first 750 schools to register will receive a £100 Lidl gift card.
Since launching in 2024, Lidl Foodies lesson plans have been downloaded by over 10% of UK primary schools nationwide, helping teachers introduce children to the taste, texture and joy of healthy food.
The programme was developed after research showed that 73% of teachers felt unprepared to teach diet diversity, often due to lack of resources, training or time[1]. Results have shown that, after just one year, Lidl Foodies is already closing that gap. In a survey of more than 500 teachers who took part last year, three in four reported that their pupils were more excited about trying new fruit and veg, and almost 60% said children are now eating more of it as a result[2]. Some schools have been inspired to go even further, with teachers and pupils planting vegetable patches so they can grow and taste their own produce.
Backed by over £500,000 of investment over two years, Lidl Foodies provides teachers with free interactive lesson plans, vouchers to buy fruit and veg for tastings, and a suite of resources that make healthy eating engaging and accessible. Delivered via the National Schools Partnership, the workshops encourage pupils to explore, taste and create with fresh produce through a mix of hands-on learning and fun activities.
Lidl now wants to build on this momentum by encouraging even more primary schools to join Year Two of Lidl Foodies. Participating schools will continue to benefit from free lesson plans, interactive resources and funding to bring fresh fruit and veg into the classroom.
One teacher said: “I just wanted to say how much our children are enjoying this project and the resources. We have a range of vegetables now growing in our garden thanks to your seeds and mini greenhouses,” said Heather, Medina House School.
Another commented: “We have been using the Lidl resources with our Nurture Groups and we want to thank you for the AMAZING resources. The children and staff are loving it,” said Roslyn, Marish Academy Trust.
Matt Juden-Bloomfield, head of sustainability (CSR) at Lidl GB said: “At Lidl GB, we believe that as many as possible should have a ‘vegucation’. That’s what Lidl Foodies is all about – showing pupils that fruit and veg can be fun, flavourful and full of goodness. In just one year, over 200,000 children have tasted new ingredients, discovered where their food comes from, and some have even started growing their own greens. Teachers tell us it’s opening up kids’ vocabulary around food and growing their confidence.
Healthy habits don’t happen overnight but, by planting the right seeds early, together we can nurture a generation that feels at home with healthy food. That’s why we’ve invested over £500,000 in Lidl Foodies – and we’re encouraging even more teachers to join us to ‘vegucate’ the nation.”
Delivered across three modules across the school year, Lidl Foodies brings fresh fruit and veg into classrooms, showing children how food is grown and where it comes from, and encouraging pupils to try new ingredients and learn simple, healthy recipes.
