Wageningen University & Research can continue with Taste Lessons for another four years

The Food Education Platform (VEP) is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in which WUR works with businesses, government, education and civil society organisations on objective nutrition education for children. Eating, tasting, feeling, smelling and looking are central to the programme. Children learn where their food comes from and experience what healthy and tasty food is. WUR translates scientific knowledge into practical applications and thereby contributes to healthy and sustainable food choices, both now and in the future.

Giving children food skills

WUR began providing food education in 2006 with a pilot of Taste Lessons at a number of primary schools. In 2013, the pilot continued as a PPP called the Food Education Platform (VEP). It is an implementation programme of Dutch businesses and the government, aimed at giving young people food skills.

The platform is coordinated by the Taste Lessons & EU-Schoolfruit team, part of Wageningen Social & Economic Research. Team leader Fieke Franken says: “Over the next four years, we want to work on increasing the programme’s effectiveness through research. Schools and teachers are already very enthusiastic about the programme, but we see further opportunities to enthuse more teachers within a school about Taste Lessons and strengthen its implementation. What is also new is that we are looking beyond primary schools. We also want to work with organisations that provide food education for the 0–4 and 12–24 age groups, as well as organisations such as childcare centres, vocational secondary schools and practical education schools.”

Objective education together with businesses

Within the partnership, WUR develops all the teaching materials. An independent Supervisory Board and Assessment Committee safeguard the policy, independence and content of the Food Education Platform’s materials. All members commit to this code of conduct. In doing so, they agree to the quality standards, consistent and non-branded communication about food education activities, and objectivity. The teaching materials focus exclusively on the Wheel of Five and contain no product or brand promotion.

Businesses contribute financially to the partnership, but also provide non-branded materials for schools, good ideas and their networks. Franken: “For example, thanks to various companies, we have been able to mobilise chefs for the ‘Chef in the classroom’ project. One of the companies is also now providing non-branded seeds for a gardening project. Together, we can reach even more children.”

Children’s knowledge and good intentions increase

Scientific research shows that, after completing the Taste Lessons programme, children know more about healthy and sustainable food. They feel encouraged to try unfamiliar products and are more inclined to eat more healthily. Franken: “The fact that we actually make a difference is essential to us. Given teachers’ limited time, it is very important to us that Taste Lessons works and is not merely an enjoyable way to pass the time. We genuinely want to make an impact.”

About the Food Education Platform (VEP)

Through VEP, WUR provides the Taste Lessons and Taste Missions educational programmes in cooperation with the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, Jong Leren Eten, JOGG and Healthy School. More than one hundred regional partners also participate, including chefs, dietitians, farmers, N&M education centres and partners from green education.