ISS's Roots for the Future helps children sow the seeds of wellbeing and sustainability

Designed to focus on the needs of their young customers, Roots for the Future builds on ISS’ wider wellbeing and sustainability strategy, providing a holistic approach to wellbeing for their young customers whether at school, at home or beyond.

Delivered through three key pillars; For You, For Life and For the Plant, Roots for the Future recognises the important links between climate, health, and nature.

To celebrate the launch and mark British Food Fortnight, the ISS team partnered with Fullwood Primary School in Ilford for a Food Education Day; a fun packed, whole day event designed to help pupils better understand their personal health, the way their actions affect the environment and the benefits of local and British grown produce.

The day was split into a series of interactive sessions designed to inspire, entertain and educate. Chris Collins, TV Gardener and ISS Partner, with the help of our friends at Innocent Drinks, gave pupils the opportunity to plant vegetable seeds which they will go on to take care of in class or at home. Pupils learnt how easy it was to enjoy healthy homemade food; Baking bread with Chefs, making sugar swaps with Nutritionists and the popular pedal-powered smoothie bike got pupils moving.

Yet amidst all the excitement were key lessons essential to younger minds; understanding where their food comes from, how to prepare it, and how their choices can impact their physical and mental wellbeing and the environment around them.

Linda Cregan, Food Service Director said “It was fantastic to see our partners, chefs and nutritionists come together to introduce some of our young customers to key principles which can help instil healthier habits for life. Pupils planted seeds to grow fresh produce with Chris Collins, TV Gardener, prepared fresh bread with the chefs and learnt about how our great British produce through our supply partners. The Food Education Event was the beginning of a program of activities which will support pupils and schools in delivering health and wellbeing activities.”

Simon Ward, Head of school said “The Food Education Day was a great experience and fitted perfectly with our focus on the children taking ownership of their own health and well-being and thinking about our environment too.  The children had great fun taking part in the activities and left smiling and keen to talk about what they had learnt."