As updated school food standards are due to come into effect nationally from September 2027, partners across Walsall are continuing to work with schools to improve access to healthy, nutritious food. This supports the ambitions of Feeding Walsall's Future: The Food Plan 2025-2030, which aims to help people eat well and improve their wellbeing across the borough.
The recent Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification, achieved by Walsall Council's catering team, recognises its commitment to providing nutritious, high-quality school meals to 35 primary schools across the borough, which complies with the Government’s food and nutrition standards. This helps ensure that thousands of primary school pupils across Walsall have access to nutritious meals during the school day, supporting their health, wellbeing and ability to learn.
Walsall Council Public Health commissions the Food for Life Healthy Eating Programme in schools and communities. It works with 41 Early Years settings, 53 primary schools and the wider community to improve food education, and the quality of and access to healthy food for all. The Walsall programme provides access to the Early Years awards, school awards and Nourishing Community Awards, plus one-to-one support and free training. The Walsall-based Food for Life team work directly with settings to deliver in-person support and training based on individual needs. Food for Life has also taken their offer beyond the school gates, supporting the voluntary and community sector who are making good food accessible with the Nourishing Communities Award.
Alongside support for schools and early years settings, partners across Walsall are working to improve access to good food through the delivery of Walsall's Food Plan, including workforce development initiatives such as food related Very Brief Advice (VBA) training and wider partnership work that supports healthier eating across communities.
“ Good nutrition plays an important role in helping children and young people grow, learn and stay well. Across Walsall, we are working with partners to support children and families to make healthier food choices and access the support available to them. By supporting healthy habits from an early age, we can help improve health and wellbeing now and in the future. “
Councillor Matt Eason, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing
Walsall Council
“ Supporting healthy eating requires schools, community groups, local businesses, healthcare organisations and public services to work together towards a shared goal. Through the Walsall Food Partnership, we are bringing partners together to improve access to nutritious food, support food education and help people develop positive food habits throughout their lives. The work taking place across Walsall demonstrates how a joined-up approach can help improve health and wellbeing across the borough. “
Adam Carter
Chair of Walsall Food Partnership
“ Healthy food plays an important role in supporting our pupils’ health, wellbeing and ability to learn. We want to help children understand the importance of making healthy choices and develop positive attitudes towards food from an early age. Initiatives such as Food for Life support this by encouraging pupils to explore fresh, nutritious foods and understand where their food comes from. Through cooking opportunities and practical learning, pupils develop knowledge, confidence and positive eating habits that can benefit them throughout their lives. “
Colleen Green, Deputy Headteacher
Beacon Academy
Families with adolescents aged 12-19 looking for additional support can access Gro Health, a free digital health and wellbeing programme which offers tailored support on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and wellbeing, helping people make positive changes that work for them.
To find out more about the Walsall Food Plan, visit the Walsall Council website.
Anyone who would like to find out more about Food for Life and get involved in the programme can contact Jenine Hadley (jhadley@soilassociation.org).
