Background

Project Daire

Where it all began

Project Daire was a primary school-based food environment intervention delivered in January-June 2019. 1040 children aged 6-7yrs and 10-11yrs from 18 schools in Derry & Strabane region took part. 50% of schools involved were in the top 100 areas of multiple deprivation as rated by the NISRA’s, 17% of the schools were in the top 10.

The project explored the impact of 2 approaches:

1) “Nourish” approach included first hand food experiences. These included tasting events that brought local producers and children together to explore new flavours and share ideas; free provision of nutritious snacks at break time to all children, physical adaptations to canteen environments and the provision of cooking equipment and food based learning resources.

2) “Engage” classroom-based education around food that was embedded within the existing school curriculum.

Project FINDINGS

Project Daire results brought great excitement to the team and wider stakeholders. It is exceptional to have such holistic benefits in such a short, 6 month, timeframe. A subsequent series of co-creation workshops were carried out involving parents, teachers, principals, local councils, various government departments, food charities, community organisations and further educational colleges.

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A significant improvement in health-related quality of life in boys

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Significant improvements in childhood emotional and behavioural wellbeing

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Some changes in school-based dietary behaviour

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Improvements in understanding of food labels & seasonality of vegetables

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Increased willingness to try new foods

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Improved perceived cooking competence

Conclusion

Project Daire results brought great excitement to the team and wider stakeholders. It is exceptional to have such holistic benefits in such a short, 6 month, timeframe. A subsequent series of co-creation workshops were carried out involving parents, teachers, principals, local councils, various government departments, food charities, community organizations, further educational colleges.

These activities highlighted the need to:

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Think Beyond School: Include children, their families and community

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Develop diverse activities for delivery at school, home & within local community

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Parental engagement & intergenerational approach essential

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Co-ordinated delivery should integrate existing provisions e.g. allotments, social supermarkets, local projects, existing health agency and local council food based initiatives

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Important to remove barriers for participation for those in challenging circumstances

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Local produce procurement deemed desirable

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A diverse range of funding streams and a flexible approach should be sought

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It should generate more evidence of impact; ongoing evaluation should be embedded

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Scale needs careful consideration; standardisation and quality of implementation is essential.