Educating the next

generation of consumers

By

Nicki Holmyard

Seafood in Schools

Why do we need to educate children

about seafood?

• Consumption is declining

• Health issues are increasing

• Omega 3 can help

Reversing the trend

• Familiarity!

• Tasting!

• Pleasure!

Public Procurement

• School menus are a challenge

• Barriers to supply

• Need to follow European examples

Who is getting involved?

• Billingsgate Seafood School outreach project

• MSC - Fish ‘n Kids

• Marks & Spencer - School of Fish

• Project Ocean - cookery competition

• Seafish

• Seafood Scotland - Seafood in Schools Project

• Local business initiatives

Billingsgate Seafood School

Project with joint aims:

Sustainable sourcing: •Increasing the use of MSC certified fish on school menus •Increasing the availability of MSC certified products in the Foodservice (‘eating out’) sector

Education in schools: •Providing schools with fun, curriculum tailored resources to help learn about the oceans •Working with schools and Local Authorities to develop the food culture and link activities in the classroom to the dining room

The MSC certification scheme recognises and rewards fisheries that have met its strict standards for sustainability. It is the largest and most robust ecolabelling scheme of its kind, and includes many Scottish and English fisheries.

The story so far… A range of resources have been developed for schools: •Packs for teachers •Packs for school cooks •Posters, stickers etc to help celebrate sustainable seafood •Website with games, downloadable resources, and information

The project has grown over its history: •Began with a grant from Defra in 2006 •Local Authorities join the project when they switch to MSC certified fish (and get Chain of Custody certification), so they can use the MSC ecolabel on menus •The project now includes nearly 4000 schools (one-fifth of schools in the UK)

Next Steps…

This year the Fish and Kids project will focus on:

•Launching a Scottish version of the Teachers’ Education pack, to link with the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence

•Some fun resources to link with the Olympics (as MSC certified fish will be served at the Olympic Games)

•Improve engagement with teachers, which includes:

• A research project to understand why and where teachers look for and use resources.

• A range of marketing activities including social media to improve the visibility and use of teaching

resources, and to increase their effectiveness.

Seafood in Schools Project

• Eat More (Scottish) Fish!

• Learn about fishing and aquaculture!

• Get industry involved!

Aims

• Use seafood as a context for learning to teach:

• Where seafood comes from

• How it gets to our plates

• Why it is good to eat as part of a healthy diet

What was achieved?

• Interaction with 25,000 pupils across Scotland

• Ongoing partnerships between local industry and schools

• CPD sessions for teachers to improve knowledge

• £24,000+ in-kind donations from industry

• 3-year extension to reach 50,000 per year

Thank You

www.seafoodinschools.org