Fish and Kids!

‘Fishfrom the chippy’ is launching as an education pilot in Nottinghamshire in May, through a partnership with The Fishmongers’ Company, Fastnet Fish Ltd, and the Fish in Schools Hero Programme. It will connect local schools and Fish and chip shops together, aiming to give pupils the chance to prepare, cook and eat fish – often for the first time. We know that fish is not a popular choice with teenagers – but, when they prepare and cook it for themselves, they love it!

Why get involved?

Schools in the Nottinghamshire area are now registering - and local Chip shops are now being asked to get involved in this exciting scheme to become Fish Heroes. It’s a chance for shops to link-up with local schools and develop longerterm relationships. Shops will receive a logo to use in-store, promoting them as a Fish Hero, and there should be great PR opportunities in the local/ national press, social media and school newsletters.

By working with their local Chip shop, schools will receive 50 portions of Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) hake, donated and supplied by Fastnet Fish. Chips shops will be asked to receive and store the fish, ready for collection by their local partner school – a perfect PR opportunity!

Claire White, Director of People and Projects, Fastnet Fish Limited said, “We are delighted to be partnering with the

Food Teachers Centre on this important educational initiative. We have donated the fish and we are delivering it using our UK-wide transport network so that we can reach as many schools as possible. We are passionate about encouraging young people to cook and eat fish. Not only is it highly nutritious, it also has a much lower carbon footprint than other proteins, so it is a healthy and environmentally responsible choice.”

The Fish from the Chippy pilot is part of a wider scheme, Fish in Schools Hero programme, which is supported by the Fishmongers’ Company. It aims to ensure that every child gets a chance to prepare, cook and eat fish before they leave school and to train food teachers to be confident in preparing and cooking fish with students. The programme provides incredible life-long learning experiences for thousands of pupils across the UK.

Dr Eleanor Adamson, Fisheries Programme Manager, Fishmongers Company Charitable said, “Since 2019 our charity has been supporting the Fish in School Hero programme to bring seafood into the classroom. The partnership with Fastnet and Fish & Chip shops opens exciting opportunities to bring local seafood businesses closer to their school communities, giving more teenagers great experiences with sustainable seafood.”

The fish industry has a lot to offer, and through this type of innovative pilot it is envisaged that it will enable young people to see not just the importance of fish in a healthy diet and learn new cooking skills for life, but also consider important career pathways into the future. Fish and chip shops can play an important part in this.

Fish Heroes is launching in Nottinghamshire in May first. If you are interested in getting involved, register email austen@chippychat.co.uk