Retailer invests €150,000 in nationwide Lidl Foodies initiative as research highlights low fruit and vegetable consumption among Irish children.
Lidl Ireland has unveiled a new free education programme aimed at helping primary school children develop positive relationships with fruit and vegetables through practical, curriculum-linked learning experiences.
The programme, called Lidl Foodies, will launch in schools from September and is supported by a €150,000 investment from the retailer. Lidl said it expects the initiative to reach more than 30,000 children aged four to seven during its first year.
“Building a positive relationship with food starts with curiosity and confidence and giving children those opportunities early can make a meaningful difference to how they approach food as they grow”
The announcement comes amid concerns about children’s eating habits. According to CSO data from the Irish Health Survey, almost one in 10 children aged two to eight do not eat fruit or vegetables every day. That figure rises to 15.7% among teenagers aged 13 to 17. Separately, the Growing Up in Ireland study found that only 11% of 13-year-olds consumed the recommended five or more portions of fruit and vegetables on a typical day.
A free ‘vegucation’ in healthy eating
Lidl Foodies has been designed to provide teachers with classroom resources that encourage children to try, taste, grow and understand fresh food throughout the school year.
The programme consists of four modules. Lidl Tasters, delivered during the autumn term, focuses on exploring the smell, taste and texture of fruit and vegetables. Lidl Growers, delivered in spring, teaches children how food is grown. During the summer term, Lidl Makers introduces simple recipes and basic cooking skills.
The fourth module, Lidl Farm to Fork, includes visits to The Lidl Farm at the retailer’s Regional Distribution Centre in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Lidl said it is the only retailer in Ireland offering a dedicated educational farm experience of this kind, with the eight-acre outdoor classroom developed in partnership with Agri Aware.
The programme has been developed to align with the primary school curriculum, including Wellbeing and SPHE, and will also be available through Irish for Gaelscoileanna.
To encourage participation, Lidl is offering a €100 gift card to the first 150 teachers who register for the first module. The retailer said it plans to distribute up to €30,000 in Lidl gift cards across the programme’s first year to help schools cover the cost of ingredients and classroom materials.
Hands-on learning
Primary school teacher, education advocate and content creator Cormac O’Donoghue said the initiative addresses the importance of hands-on learning.
“As a teacher, I’ve seen first-hand that children are far more likely to engage with something when they feel involved in it. Food is no different. When they grow, prepare and taste food themselves, it becomes far more meaningful than simply being told what they should or shouldn’t eat.
“What appealed to me about Lidl Foodies is that it has been designed with busy classrooms in mind, giving teachers practical, ready-to-use resources that bring food education to life. It also helps continue those conversations at home, while Lidl’s range of high-quality, affordable fruit and vegetables makes healthy choices more accessible for families. I’m delighted to support a programme that makes learning about food practical, enjoyable and relevant for young children.”
Registered dietitian Orla Walsh said repeated exposure and familiarity can play a key role in helping children accept new foods.
“One of the biggest misconceptions around children and healthy eating is that if they refuse a food once, they simply don’t like it. In reality, it can take many opportunities for a child to become comfortable with a new food, and those experiences are often most successful when there is no pressure to eat it.
“That is why programmes like Lidl Foodies can be so valuable. A child might grow a vegetable before tasting it, learn where it comes from, prepare it with their classmates or simply become familiar with how it looks and feels. All of those experiences count.
“Building a positive relationship with food starts with curiosity and confidence and giving children those opportunities early can make a meaningful difference to how they approach food as they grow.”
Health and wellbeing to the fore
Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland Corporate Affairs firector Eimear O Sullivan said the programme forms part of the retailer’s wider commitment to health and wellbeing.
“As Ireland’s number 1 supermarket for fruit and veg, we believe that helping children build a healthy relationship with fresh food is an investment in their future. As a purpose-driven business, we take our responsibility seriously to contribute meaningfully to the communities we serve.
“The habits and confidence developed at a young age can shape how children think about food for years to come, which is why we want Lidl Foodies to reach as many classrooms and families as possible.
“Our ambition is to make food education more accessible, practical and engaging for children across Ireland. Through our €150,000 commitment, and by combining expert-led learning with high-quality, affordable fresh produce, we hope to create a programme that delivers lasting benefits well beyond the classroom.”
The initiative is launching with support from Cork youth music collective Kabin Crew, creators of the viral hit The Spark, who have recorded an original song titled Lidl Lunchbox Flex to promote the programme.
Lidl said the programme supports its broader sustainability strategy and follows the retailer’s recently announced fibre strategy, which aims to increase the total tonnage of fibre sold by 20% and ensure wholegrains account for 20% of all grains sold by 2030.
Registration for Lidl Foodies opens on 15 September 2026 through the National Schools Partnership.
Image at top: Cormac O’Donoghue, Lidl Ireland Foodies Spokesperson with Eimear O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, at the launch of the Lidl Foodies programme which took place at the Lidl Farm in Newbridge Co. Kildare
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