Across the National School Pantry Network, schools are using their funding in creative and practical ways to support families with food, confidence and everyday household budgets. Here is what Grimes Dyke Primary School are doing.
Model: Evolving Support Through a Playground Pantry
Focus: Convenience, healthy eating and family support
At Grimes Dyke Primary School, NSPN funding has helped evolve the school’s existing food support offer into a more responsive and family-focused model. What began as a Rethink Food stall on the playground has developed into a popular weekly provision that combines pantry staples, fresh fruit and vegetables, Recipe Bags and Grab Bags, all designed around the needs of the school community.
Families can access food support at the end of the school day in a convenient and welcoming setting. By listening to parents and carers, the school has continually adapted its approach, ensuring support is practical, accessible and relevant to everyday family life.
A key feature of the evolved model is the introduction of Recipe Bags. Promoted each week through the school’s Facebook page, the bags contain the ingredients needed to create a simple family meal, along with an easy-to-follow recipe. Recipes are carefully selected to be affordable, quick to prepare and suitable for busy households.
The school also provides Fresh Fruit Grab Bags, allowing parents and carers to quickly pick up a selection of fruit to take home, making healthy choices easier for families.
Choice: Understanding the Community
The school knows its families well and has developed an offer that reflects their lifestyles and needs. Recipe Bags have become a weekly highlight for many households, helping families try new meals while reducing the cost and stress of meal planning.
Children are encouraged to enjoy more fruit, while parents appreciate having healthy options that are easy to access and take home.
Beyond Food Provision: Support Without Stigma
The pantry offer is available to all members of the school community, including working families who often miss out on support linked to benefit eligibility or targeted funding programmes.
By making support universal, accessible and visible, the school has created an inclusive environment where families can access a little extra help without judgement.
The NSPN has enabled the school to test, learn and adapt its offer over time, creating a model that reflects what families actually want and use. By evolving from a simple food stall into a broader family support offer, the school has increased engagement and ensured support reaches a wider range of families.
What Families Say
“We both work, but things are really expensive. Our shopping bill is £80 more a month even though I’m buying the same things as I always have. We look forward to the recipe bags each week so we can try something new. It’s good that even though we work we don’t miss out on a bit of extra help.” Working Parent
“The kids love fruit but it’s so expensive. I’ve started chopping it up and then they have this instead of a sugary treat.” Carer
“I tried stuff that I wouldn’t have done.” Parent
“I like the bags because they are quick and easy and it gives me new ideas.” Parent
“It’s a lifeline – I couldn’t manage without it.” Parent
“My kids are really picky, but because it’s come from school, they’ll give it a try.” Parent
Impact Highlights
- Weekly Recipe Bags helping families prepare affordable meals at home
- Increased access to fresh fruit and vegetables
- Practical support for working families as well as those facing financial hardship
- Families trying new foods and recipes with confidence
- Reduced pressure on household food budgets
- Healthy food support available in a convenient and accessible way
Grimes Dyke Primary School demonstrates how a simple, family-focused approach can make a real difference. By combining food, ideas and convenience, the school is helping families eat well, save money and feel supported.
If your school would like to create experiences like this and strengthen support for families, join the National School Pantry Network today.
