Bite Back

Posted at 11:21 am on 30th April, 2024

Wellacre’s Food Champions

In September 2023, Wellacre partnered with the Bite Back charity to empower students to promote access to healthy, affordable and appealing food. 

A team of Year 7 students volunteered in January to embark on the P6 Bite Back project, as part of Wellacre’s co-curricular programme.

Being part of the Bite Back team has educated the team on healthy eating and nutritious food accessibility before empowering them to generate ideas for positive changes to the canteen environment and menu options.

Wellacre’s catering team adapt the menu offer termly to create a nutritious and balanced offer. The menu includes a wealth of choice with old favourites, new ranges, meat free mondays and special themed days. 

The Bite Back team have been working closely with Mrs Bentley, Leader of Design Technology, Food and Art, and the Wellacre Leadership team to offer their suggestions including:

*  Display updates to make the environment even more welcoming, such as healthy eating and mental health messages 

*  New drink flavours and larger cartons for hydration

*  New healthy dessert additions, such as flapjacks

*  New weekly themed days, such as hot wraps

*  Further recycling opportunities

As part of suggesting new drinks, desserts and dishes, the team have been putting their taste buds to the test and looking at the healthiest and tastiest options. 

After campaigning to the group and showcasing what skills they could bring, Zach and David were voted Leader and Vice Leader, to speak on behalf of the team. 

Zach said:

“I thought it would be good to be part of the Bite Back team, research ideas and have a chance to make changes to the school.”

David, Year 7, said:

“It is really fun because we get to do activities such as deciding which flapjack was the healthiest and tastiest!  

The Year 7 team including Zach, Toby, Jacob, Jake, David, George, Devon, Jim, Fletcher, Harry and Joseph, invite any students with suggestions or questions to speak to them directly.

Mrs Bentley, said:

“It was fantastic to present this team with their Bite Back badges and books to celebrate their commitment and enthusiasm for the project; especially to see the boys develop their confidence and assertiveness.

“We look forward to welcoming new Year 7s to the team in September and these students will take on a leadership role within the group.”

Mrs Sharrock, Principal, added:

“I enjoyed meeting the Bite Back team who delivered an excellent presentation to myself and Mrs Bailey, the Business Director. We look forward to their input on the continued development of menus in the summer term.”