Smoothie Bars in Schools Project
HEART of ENGLAND fine foods (HEFF) is managing the Smoothie Bar project that is funded by Advantage West Midlands through the West Midland Food Partnership. The aim of this project is for HEFF to introduce a number of branded smoothie bars into schools, aiding and assisting both fruit growers and dairy farmers within the region and to market quality agricultural produce, whilst educating children in the benefits of consuming fresh fruit and dairy products by making them easily accessible.
The Smoothie Bar project is available to schools in the heart of England region, which covers Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Birmingham & the Black Country.
Working with micro clusters of dairy and fresh fruit producers, this project will generate both increased sales along with new contracts; increasing consumer awareness of regional foods, linking the schools, pupils and parents.
As well as generating an additional form of income, schools will benefit by educating children about seasonality, the health benefits of eating fresh produce and ensuring they are providing healthy options as part of the catering operation.
Children and parents will be educated in healthy eating and the wealth of regional products available. This will take place via a number of workshops planned throughout the life of the project.
HEFF is looking for schools and catering providers to work with on this project; with HEFF providing the Smoothie Bar and equipment, along with training for catering staff and workshops for pupils to encourage the buying of products. The cost of the bars will be heavily subsidised by HEFF and the contribution required will only be one initial payment of £250 from each school.
The fresh and dairy produce will be sourced from the West Midlands region and HEFF will identify the producers that will be used to supply. The produce may either be delivered via a wholesaler or distributor, or direct to the school from the grower.
The S bars have been a great success and are being operated in a number of schools across the West Midlands.
'I read about the S Bars on the internet and think it is a marvellous idea - I can't understand why no one else is doing it. My students are working towards a BTEC First in Hospitality and will operate the Smoothie Bar as a business within school hours. This has been a superb day and it has been great to meet so many producers from the region. We hope to be able to organise a school trip soon to see some of the producers on their own premises, something I think will benefit the students enormously.'
- Frank Walton, Director of Enterprise at Waseley Hills High School, Rednal, Birmingham
HEFF is looking for further schools to participate in the scheme.
If you would like more information on the project please contact the HEFF office on 01743 452818 or email office@heff.co.uk
This project is part of the West Midlands Food Partnership funded by Advantage West Midlands and delivered by HEART of ENGLAND fine foods