Garnteg Primary School in Pontypool recently kindly welcomed FareShare Cymru for an afternoon of cooking and practical food advice.

Building Kitchen Confidence at Garnteg Primary School

Schoolchildren and their parents attended a session on preparing an allergen-free vegetable curry. It gave parents the chance to ask questions about food storage, reducing waste and making ingredients go further.

Garnteg Primary School is located in Garndiffiath, which is recognised as one of the most deprived areas in the Torfaen local authority.

For some families, air fryers are a kitchen staple. Others rely on family members, such as grandparents, to do the cooking. The main goal of the session was to build kitchen confidence.

Alongside the cooking activity, parents received practical advice on food safety. For example, placing a few strips of kitchen roll beneath a chopping board can prevent it from slipping and causing accidents.

Tackling Food Insecurity at Garnteg Primary School

In 2026, Garnteg Primary School partnered with Big Bocs Bwyd. This is an initiative that promotes the benefits of cooking, growing and learning about food.

First established at Cadoxton Primary School in Barry, Big Bocs Bwyd hubs often feature a Pay As You Feel shop. These are often in shipping containers. Service users can make any small donation they can and they can receive a bag of food. While Garnteg Primary School awaits these containers, they operate a shop from an adapted classroom on site.

The initiative aims to improve family wellbeing, tackle food insecurity and support better nutrition. It also encourages parental involvement and helps families build their food literacy and cooking skills.

These benefits were evident at Garnteg Primary School, where parents encouraged their children to get involved, supporting them as they took turns stirring the curry.

How FareShare Cymru Turns Surplus Food Into Healthier Futures

FareShare Cymru plays a key role in supporting Big Bocs Bwyd.

Every Friday, FareShare Cymru facilitates deliveries of surplus food to support Garnteg Primary School. This includes fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.

This helps families access nutritious ingredients while preventing good-quality food from going to waste.

By introducing children and families to fresh produce, FareShare Cymru encourages healthier eating habits. Handling and cooking food can also reduce food anxiety in young people and encourage fussy eaters to eat more foods.

We Can Build A Fairer, More Sustainable Wales

Big Bocs Bwyd programmes across Wales, supported by FareShare Cymru’s redistribution of surplus food, contribute to the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

By helping schools provide families with access to good-quality, affordable food, FareShare Cymru supports a More Equal Wales. Its redistribution of surplus food helps reduce waste and promote sustainable food practices, contributing to a Resilient Wales.

Garnteg Primary School Shows What We Can Achieve Together

Thanks to your support, FareShare Cymru is reaching more people than ever, supporting 21,000 people in 2025–26. But the fight against food poverty and food waste is far from over. Together, we can make a difference. Find out how you can get involved by volunteering with us.