School pupils across England will have the opportunity to undertake a new scheme designed to boost the numbers of young people choosing a career in food and drink.

From January, Improve, the food and drink sector skills council, will offer teachers free resources to help them carry out the Schools Food and Drink Challenge.

The scheme, which was originally developed by Scottish Enterprise before being successfully adopted by some schools in England, has been re-developed to be more flexible and accessible, extending its reach to a greater number of young people.

The challenge will see students inventing a new food or drink product, choosing from a muffin, sandwich, pizza or smoothie. They will have to consider the whole process from development through to launch, including choosing ingredients, selecting a target audience, creating a marketing campaign, budgeting, and, if the school has the facilities, making their finished product. The day-long challenge will culminate in a trade fair, with teams presenting their work to a panel of judges.

“The Schools Challenge has always been successful, but it’s been limited in its reach, as it has depended on a manufacturer being involved, explained Jack Matthews, chief executive of Improve.

“In the past, companies have helped set the project, guide the students and assist with the judging, but many employers don’t have time for this level of commitment.
“The new challenge gives a much greater level of flexibility and will allow schools to participate without the support of an employer.

“Yet because it’s been developed following work with food and drink companies, the challenge retains its core values, which are all about giving young people a true taste of a career in the sector.