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.
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council said: “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.”
Jenine Hadley, Programme Manager for Food for Life Walsall at Soil Association said: “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.”
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.
