Pupils in Carlow school learning 'vital life skills' amid rollout of new school programme

Children in Carlow are currently taking part in a free six-week programme that supports their health, wellbeing, and practical life skills.

The Stronger Starts Cooks programme, which is being rolled out by Tesco Ireland, has already been completed in 20 primary schools across the country.

At the moment, 52 pupils from Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc in Carlow Town are taking part in the programme.

During the six weeks, children will receive hands-on experience with cooking, nutrition, and food education.

Research from the first group of schools that participated shows that almost all parents (94%) believe cooking should be included in the primary school curriculum, while 79% of schools had no prior classroom cooking experience.

READ NEXT: Carlow Christmas lights turned on in memory of teenager who passed away earlier this year

In addition, 93% of teachers agree that cooking supports curriculum delivery and helps children build vital life skills.

Stronger Starts Cooks is a curriculum-aligned educational programme that aims to inspire a lifelong love of food and cooking, encourage healthy eating, and highlight the value of home-made meals to primary school children.

It has been developed in consultation with teachers and the support of a qualified dietician.

It is mainly being delivered to 5th class pupils with workshops and lessons in food science, food safety, and healthy eating.

Among the highlights is a visit to a local Tesco store, where students explore the journey of food from farm to shelf, take part in a budgeting challenge, enjoy food sampling sessions, and get to see behind the scenes of a busy shop environment.

The pilot programme has already received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with the majority (95%) of pupils saying they enjoyed the experience.

"We want to play a positive role in championing children’s health in Ireland and believe that helping children to understand more about their food, where it comes from, and how to cook it can really help this," Rosemary Garth, Tesco Ireland Communications Director, said. 

Stronger Starts Cooks builds on the success of the Stronger Starts Food programme, launched in 2021, which provides free weekly packs of fruit and veg to children in DEIS schools during school term.

Stronger Starts Food Collections support local family resource centres and community groups during school holidays.