Food for Life, run by the Soil Association and commissioned by Walsall Council Public Health, held the event on 19 November 2025 at Walsall Arena.

The day featured presentations from Beacon Academy and Oakwood School about their initiatives. Beacon Primary highlighted its cooking club, whole-school cooking curriculum and their ‘Come Dine with Me’ inspired sessions for families and children. Colleen Green, Assistant Headteacher at the school also shared her reflections on winning the Jamie Oliver’s 2025 This Morning’s Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Oakwood School demonstrated its commitment to nutritious, freshly prepared meals and encouraging pupils to take part in visits to purchase fresh food for cooking back at school. The school has also introduced a new cooking space where all pupils can practice food preparation, alongside raised garden beds that support hands-on learning in growing produce.

Attendees then took part in a variety of activities and workshops, including Cook and Share activities on beetroot muffins and noodle pots, craft and herb planting and competitions to win gardening and cooking equipment. Poster presentations showcased the different Food for Life projects happening across the borough, as well as resources for schools, early years settings and community groups.

Lunch was freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients by the council’s catering services, who are working to renew their Served Here Bronze Award through Food for Life. 

Awards celebrated outstanding contributions, including the Food for Life Early Years awards given to Ogley Hay Nursery School and Little Professors Nursery at Walsall College. Nourishing Communities Awards included Caldmore Community Garden, Sal-Vation and Star Light Multi Care CIC. 

Special recognition award recipients included Beacon Academy, Pinfold Street Primary School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and Maple Tree Nursery.

Abu Bakr Nursery received multiple awards including the Early Years Award, Nourishing Communities Award and the Healthy Hero Award.

“ Food for Life is a fantastic example of getting children, families and the wider community to learn about healthy eating and sustainability. By working with them, we’re not only improving access to nutritious food but also helping them to develop lifelong skills in cooking and growing. Food for Life activity is happening in 107 early years, school and community settings with 59 having achieved Food for Life awards and over 20,000 children and families benefitting. “

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing
Walsall Council

“ It's really important for us to take a moment to reflect on all the hard work done by so many to ensure that good food is accessible for people across Walsall. We continue to be inspired by the dedication of these local change-makers within their schools, nurseries and community who implement real and lasting change for all to benefit from. Our partnership with Walsall Council and other key stakeholders throughout the borough just goes to show what can be done to improve a food system within a place when collaboration, funding and partnerships are prioritised. “

Jenine Hadley, Programme Manager
Food for Life Walsall

Food for Life Walsall, which delivers the Children and Families Healthy Eating Programme, plays a pivotal role in delivering the ambitions set out in the Walsall Food Plan 2025-2030 by supporting good food choices, creating healthier environments and building a sustainable, resilient food system. Initiatives through schools, early years settings and community groups empower children, families and wider communities to access nutritious, affordable food, develop lifelong cooking skills and promote sustainability. 

With the Food Plan already delivering many of its priorities through the Walsall Food Partnership, the plan will see a series of activities over the coming months with stakeholders and communities across the borough.

The plan also aligns with the We Are Walsall 2040 vision for a thriving, inclusive borough where health and wellbeing are central and communities are connected, living active and fulfilling lives.

Abu Bakr Nursery

• Walsall’s Food Plan for 2025-2030 outlines its vision for a borough where healthy, affordable and tasty food is accessible to all. The Walsall Food Partnership has been established to coordinate and drive the delivery of the Food Plan priorities, including Walsall working towards and achieving Sustainable Food Place status. The plan was approved at the Health and Wellbeing Board in September 2025. Read the full Walsall Food Plan on CMIS.
• Food for Life Walsall (led by the Soil Association) has been working with local authorities across the country for over 10 years, supporting schools, nurseries, caterers and communities to embed a good food culture within their settings and beyond. The Walsall programme (funded by Walsall Council Public Health) has been running since 2017 and are delivering the Children and Families Healthy Eating programme. To find out more about the programme including recent achievements, visit the Food for Life website.
• Sustainable Food Places is a programme run by the Soil Association that recognises areas that have a holistic and joined up approach to food.  To find out more visit: Home | Sustainable Food Places.
• The Walsall Food Partnership is built of stakeholders from across the food system, who share the vision for a healthier, inclusive and sustainable food future. The partnership involves:
  • Sharing knowledge and good practice to drive enterprise and innovation.
  • Coordinating action across the food system, connecting stakeholders and collaborating to empower the community.
  • Delivering local food projects across our communities to help make good food an option for all.
  • Advocating for Walsall residents through influencing local food policies, action plans and decision-making.