There were more tasty options available to youngsters across Norfolk and Suffolk yesterday when they sat down to the latest dish inspired by a Premier League football player.
Thousands of children enjoyed Josh Sargent’s American Mac ‘n’ Cheese, when Norse Catering teamed up with Norwich City Football Club for the latest serving of Active Canaries Health Month.
Among those enjoying the green and yellow, football-themed feast were pupils from Queen’s Hill Primary School and Nursery in Costessey.
Nikki Barnard, Norse Catering’s Cook Manager at the school, said: “The children here are loving the Active Canaries promotion and Josh Sargent’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese has been a big hit!
“It’s great to see them all so interested in food, especially as these lunches help promote healthy living.”
Created by City’s first team nutritionist Tom Geeson-Brown and chef Daniel Savage, and cooked by Norse Catering, this was the second week in the month-long programme.
Children have already tucked into Dimitris Giannoulis’s Greek Chicken Flatbread and still have Teemu Pukki’s Finnish Fish Pie Pasta Bake and Tim Krul’s Veggie Sausage, Red Lentil and Tomato Stew to come.
And, so far, all the dishes have been clear winners!
“I really liked today’s dish. It’s so cheesy!” said Leana, aged 9, from Queen’s Hill.
And Lucas, aged 10, added: “The mac ‘n’ cheese is yummy and I’m also excited to try the football energy bar we were also given as it there are lots of vitamins in it from the fruit.”
All the dishes are inspired by the national cuisines of some of City’s top players and youngsters are given cards to take home to help them shop for ingredients and make the recipes themselves with their parents.
Norse Catering’s meals are always carefully planned and prepared to ensure they are nutritious and well balanced, but the campaign has been designed to further highlight the importance of healthy eating to the youngsters.
Some 70 of Norse Catering’s schools are participating in the event, which is backed by the Canaries Covid-19 Community Fund and complemented by special school assemblies.
Joel Hann, Assistant Head Teacher from Queen’s Hill, said: “The Active Canaries Health Month has already had a great impact on our children.
“We know from the data that obesity has become a bigger problem in Norfolk since Covid struck and this initiative has helped our children understand the importance of healthy eating.
“Through the project we have learned about food from the different countries that our players come from and the footballers’ cards have really excited our children.
“The assemblies have taught the pupils about nutrition and given them a new perspective on the importance of being active and healthy.
“The footballers’ cards are something the children can take home so they can cook healthy meals, like Dimitris Giannoulis’s popular chicken flatbread, together as a family.
“I myself can’t wait to try Finnish Fish Pie Pasta Bake!”
