Abstract Introduction
Primary schools can find it challenging to effectively provide cookery classes due to limited equipment or relevant teaching skills. In addition, cookery lessons do not necessarily link to promoting healthy food choices and behaviours. Specific local cooking sessions were piloted in Lambeth schools to enhance a national media campaign encouraging children to eat more vegetables. Through hands on cooking experience, the classes aimed to help children further connect with the campaign message to change behaviour. Method12 schools were identified to receive curriculum linked classes, targeting the most disadvantaged A low cost, culturally appropriate, vegetable based recipe, that was easily replicable at home, was developed with cooking provider; alongside written materials linked to the campaign.Series of 1 hour cookery classes delivered within the school day for Key Stage 2 children.Qualitative feedback obtained from children and teachers ResultsOver 6 weeks, 2,382 children participated in classesObserved benefits included; awareness of national campaign, high levels of engagement with cooking, improved knowledge of and willingness to try different vegetables, food preparation skills and enthusiasm to take learning home to families.Positive school feedbackStronger relationships between Public Health and local schools, as key assets in child health promotionConclusionProviding additional activities at local level, such as locally designed school cookery sessions, could enhance the behaviour change impact of national healthy eating media campaigns. The success of the pilot provides an opportunity to further develop sustainable methods with schools to maximise local behaviour change impact of national health campaigns. External funding details