Students at Ysgol Borthyn in Ruthin recently got a hands-on experience in pizza-making during a summer program called “Food and Fun,” which took place at ten primary schools across Denbighshire. The initiative, supported by food distribution company Harlech Foodservice, provided the ingredients for the children to create their own pizzas from scratch.
The young participants began by rolling out dough, spreading tomato sauce, and selecting a variety of toppings before finishing with a layer of cheese. The activity was a highlight for both the students and their supervisors, teaching assistants Marian Chambers, Nic Minshull, and Fiona Royles.
Five-year-old Megan expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s been good. I’ve loved coming to school for Food and Fun.” James, aged eight, added, “I love spaghetti, but I like pizza too.”
Marian Chambers explained that the Food and Fun program has been running for three weeks during the summer holidays. “The children have really enjoyed it – we’ve had about 40 of them here most days,” she said. The program included a variety of activities, such as an Olympics-themed day with national flags, an Olympic torch, and a relay race.
The initiative is part of a Welsh Government scheme designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity. Children attending the program receive breakfast and lunch, and they have the opportunity to try new foods. “Some of them have never had pizza before, and they also get to eat salads and fruit,” Marian added.
Harlech Foodservice’s Ursula Scurrah-Price and Local Account Manager Britney Loughborough, who oversees orders for Ysgol Borthyn and other local schools, hospitals, and businesses, were present to ensure the smooth delivery of ingredients.
Ursula noted, “This is part of our work with schools across North Wales this summer. Providing pizza-making sessions is a healthy activity that teaches children about the value of good food and the joy of preparing it.”
She emphasized the importance of using healthy ingredients, saying, “We’ve included at least one vegetable in each pizza and ensured they have the right kind of cheese, mozzarella. It’s also important to get the quantities right – too much tomato can lead to a soggy bottom.”
Harlech Foodservice, which operates from locations in Criccieth, Chester, Merthyr Tydfil, Carmarthen, and Telford, has expanded its workforce to 250 employees. The company delivers up to 5,000 product lines to schools, cafés, restaurants, pubs, and public sector customers across Wales, Shropshire, the Midlands, and the North West.
The initiative aims to instill an early appreciation for healthy eating and cooking in young people, with the hope of encouraging the whole family to get involved in preparing nutritious meals.