An initiative that teaches children the value of food and the effort that goes into growing it was recently named overall winner of Lidl Ireland's inaugural Green Fund.

The Kids' Food Revolution secured the top €25,000 prize in the Lidl Ireland Green Fund to deliver its 'Grow, Cook, Eat' project, a programme aimed at equipping children with the practical cookery and horticulture skills essential for a sustainable future.

Launched last February, the fund - developed in partnership with Business in the Community Ireland - was established to support community-led projects that prioritise environmental sustainability and healthy living.

The initiative welcomed applications from groups, schools andsporting clubs to support local projects and innovations that aim to promote sustainability, climate resilience and a just transition.

Kids’ Food Revolution

Clonakilty Kids’ Food Revolution was selected as the overall winner due to its proven track record of transforming children’s attitudes towards food through hands-on education.

The initiative aims to create a healthier, more supportive food environment for children. 

The €25,000 injection will allow the project to significantly expand its reach, bringing interactive cookery and gardening workshops directly into local schools.

By moving beyond the classroom and into the kitchen - and garden - the initiative teaches children how to grow and cook a planet-friendly healthy diet.

The Kids’ Food Revolution pilot will run in three west Co. Cork primary schools and will combine hands-on cookery and nutrition education with kitchen gardening, supporting curriculum learning, wellbeing, and practical life skills in a relaxed and fun peer learning environment.

The pilot meets recommendations by the World Health Organisation and the sustainable development goals of the United Nations to enable sustainable food-related health, as part of a whole systems approach.

It recognises the importance of local food culture, biodiversity and the environmental impact of food.

'Hands-on learning'

Gillian Hegarty and Melissa Byrne, co-founders of Clonakilty Kids' Food Revolution, said they were blown away by the impact the initiative has had in their community.

"We are really excited to move into this next phase because we’ve seen the power that hands-on learning has on children; how excited they are to try new things when they’re together having fun," the co-founders said.

"We are delighted to announce that Niamh Cooper has joined us as project manager to take the pilot to the next stage.”

Tara O’Connor, regional managing director at Lidl Ireland, said they were proud to name Clonakilty Kids' Food Revolution as the overall winner of the Lidl green fund.

She said: "Their 'Empowering Health Through Food and Growing' project perfectly aligns with our commitment to environmental sustainability and healthy living.

"It is a privilege to support Gillian and her team as they revolutionise how the next generation interacts with the food on their plates.”

Elaine O’Connor, head of sustainability at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said that Lidl believed that small steps can lead to a better, more sustainable tomorrow for everyone.

She said: "We were incredibly impressed by the Clonakilty Kids' Food Revolution and their commitment to hands-on education.

"Empowering the next generation to make healthier more sustainable choices is at the heart of our Green Fund mission, and we are thrilled to support this project's expansion."

Lidl currently employs over 5,500 people in its 190 stores, head office in Tallaght and three distribution centres and regional offices.