When Suma Wholefoods launched a new Sustainability Strategy in 2023 they included an aim to form partnerships with other organisations to educate and engage citizens on co-operative solutions to big challenges. We were thrilled to be invited as a key partner in delivering some of their sustainability messages to schools – many of which link with schools eco policy.
“We work with fairandfunky because they are local, and because they care and want to help make the world a better place. It is so rewarding to see children really thinking about, and understanding, what they can do to help during fairandfunky’s workshops. We feel that fairandfunky play a vital role in all they do to ensure young minds understand the issues and that they can make a difference.” Nigel Kaye, Suma Wholefoods
We have continued our partnership in 2025, and this year created a new ‘Food Done Fairly’ workshop to give students the opportunity to think about where their food comes from, how it is grown, packaged, transported and sold. In the workshop we discuss, through child-centred activities, that each action involved in getting food from farm to fork has an impact on our planet. We discover ways we can make our impact a positive one, and reduce individual carbon footprints in small, but mighty ways. Little steps, change the world.
“An interesting, thought provoking and stimulating workshop, delivered in an engaging, positive and clear way. Brilliant to welcome other adults into our classroom to develop knowledge.” Year 4 teacher, Whitechapel CofE School
For example, transport. Did you know transporting food around the UK uses 19 million tonnes of carbon every year?! It is hard to avoid emissions as food travels across the globe, but as individuals we can make choices as to where our food comes from – can we shop or grow locally, and shop seasonally? Companies can make a big impact by reducing the emissions they produce too, and Suma already use 100% renewable energy for their own operations and have two bio-gas trucks, which result in 84% fewer emissions than the diesel equivalent.
“We learnt lots about the environment and how to keep it safe. It was fun and environmental, we learnt about our carbon footprints.” Year 5 Students at Nields Academy.
Or waste. Did you know that 45kg of paper waste is thrown away each year in the UK?! Or that on average each person uses 150 plastic bottles every year?! Packaging and food waste are huge negative by-products of the food industry. As individuals we can re-use and re-fill to re-duce waste; whilst Suma are working to support a zero-waste supply chain by reducing excess packaging and incorporating circular processes. By 2030 all their packaging will be made from at least 30% recycled material.
As with many of our workshops we also get creative in ‘Food Done Fairly’ and using old packaging the students create masks and mobiles in the workshops to carry the sustainability messages out of the classroom. Encouraging people to think about, and talk about, the actions they take every day is the first step to changing behaviours and changing the world. What small step will you take to change the world?
“An engaging workshop that supported curriculum objectives well and allowed children to be creative away from more structured lessons. It will prompt conversations between children and make them think about changes we can make in school/are already doing!” Year 4 teacher at Hepworth J & I School.
Thank you to Castle Hill School, Wainstalls, Hepworth J & I School, Nields Academy and Whitechapel CofE Primary for taking part in the workshops.
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