Supermarket is investing in educating children about healthy fresh produce
Lidl is investing £500,000 over two years in a new schools programme to help children develop a love for healthy eating.
The free initiative – Lidl Foodies – aims to provide fun, interactive workshops on fruit and veg. The discounter’s goal is to reach a quarter of a million primary school pupils in the first year, ensuring more children get hands-on experience with fresh food.
The programme comes as research by We Are Futures indicates that over two thirds (73 per cent) of teachers are not teaching diet diversity in healthy-eating programmes. This is despite 97 per cent of teachers recognising the importance of food education, with many citing a lack of curriculum time, resources, or training as key barriers to teaching healthy eating in schools.
As a result, less than a third of children aged 7 to 11 can identify common vegetables like courgettes and beetroot.
Lidl said it is committed to making healthy food affordable and accessible for all, and Lidl Foodies is an extension of that mission. Its goal is to improve children’s connection with food through self-discovery, exploration, and hands-on learning, while supporting families in making balanced choices through high-quality, affordable fresh produce.
Since launching in October 2024, Lidl Foodies has already engaged over 130,000 pupils across more than 1,000 schools, over half of which are in deprived areas. The programme provides teachers with ready-made workshop plans via the National Schools Partnership.
As part of the first module, Lidl Tasters, teachers were given access to £100 Lidl vouchers to buy fruit and veg for in-class tastings.
Following the success of the programme, Lidl is expanding the programme with two new modules this school year. Lidl Growers launches in spring 2025 to teach children how fruit and veg is grown and where their food comes from, while Lidl Makers (launching in summer 2025) encourages children to try new ingredients and learn simple, healthy recipes.
Georgina Hall, head of corporate affairs at Lidl GB, said: “As a mum, I understand the challenges families face when it comes to getting kids excited about healthy food. I’m proud that, at Lidl, we’re making healthy eating easier and more accessible – both through our affordable, high-quality fresh food and by helping children build a positive relationship with healthy choices from an early age.
“With Lidl Foodies, we’re giving children the opportunity to explore different fruits and vegetables, broaden their knowledge of nutritious foods, and discover what they enjoy.
“Through this approach, we’re not only supporting healthier habits in the classroom, but also helping parents make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable at home. This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see how the programme will grow and develop.
“Ultimately, our goal is to inspire a new generation of foodies who not only embrace healthy food but also recognise the importance of fresh fruit and veg for a lifetime of wellbeing.”
