Cooking bus

The Cooking Bus, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, is run by the Focus on Food Campaign, the leading organisation to support the teaching of cooking in schools across the UK.

This giant, hi-tech articulated lorry opens out into a spectacular purpose-built kitchen/classroom where qualified food teachers give pupils, parents and the community practical cooking lessons. It also trains teachers so they can continue helping youngsters learn about food and cooking in the classroom.

The emphasis of all lessons is teaching people how to prepare, cook and enjoy real food which is both tasty and healthy. 

This cooking bus goes to primary schools in Communities First areas; the least well-off parts of Wales. It was commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government to help take cooking skills into the community. This is one of the steps outlined in its Food and Fitness Implementation Plan, part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s response to Health Challenge Wales – the national focus for action to improve health and well-being.

The Implementation Plan sets out ways in which the Welsh Assembly Government helps children and young people to eat well, stay fit and achieve the highest standard of health. 

 Evidence suggests that a co-ordinated approach to food and fitness is likely to be the most effective. Therefore the bus visits schools which are already undertaking complementary work on food and fitness as part of their healthy school development. Local healthy school co-ordinators have assisted in the identification of schools which meet these criteria.

Out of term time the Welsh Assembly Government sponsored bus, which conducts lessons in both English and Welsh, takes part in various community events including the Urdd Eisteddfod.

Any school can join the Focus on Food Campaign free and will receive teaching resources and information. For more details about Focus on Food visit Focus on food (external link, English only)