Lidl Ireland today announced the launch of Lidl Foodies, a new free education programme designed to help children aged 4-7 years old build positive relationships with fruit and vegetables through engaging, curriculum-linked learning experiences.
The launch comes as Irish research highlights the need to establish positive eating habits and food literacy from an early age. According to CSO data on children's health from the Irish Health Survey almost 1 in 10 children aged 2 to 8 did not eat fruit or vegetables every day, rising to 15.7% among 13- to 17-year-olds*. Separately, the Growing Up in Ireland study found that just 11% of 13-year-olds ate the recommended five or more portions on a typical day, highlighting the importance of introducing fruit and vegetables to children early, before long-term eating habits take hold.
Backed by an investment of €150,000 by the supermarket, Lidl Foodies aims to reach more than 30,000 pupils across Ireland in its first year, giving young children a ‘vegucation in healthy eating’ and providing teachers with practical classroom resources that encourage children to try, taste, grow and understand fresh food throughout the school year.
Lidl Foodies introduces children to healthy eating through four modules delivered across the school year. Lidl Tasters, which is delivered in the autumn encourages children to explore the smell, taste and texture of fresh fruit and vegetables, while Lidl Growers, which is delivered in the spring time teaches them where food comes from and how to grow their own. Delivered during the summer term, Lidl Makers enables pupils to prepare simple, healthy recipes and develop basic cooking skills.
The fourth module, Lidl Farm to Fork, gives pupils the opportunity to put their learning into practice during an exclusive visit to The Lidl Farm at the retailer’s Regional Distribution Centre in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Lidl is the only retailer in Ireland to offer a dedicated educational farm experience of this kind, having transformed eight acres of land into a free outdoor classroom with the support of Agri Aware.
Fully aligned with the primary school curriculum and available free of charge to schools across Ireland, Lidl Foodies provides teachers with ready-to-use lesson plans, activity sheets, classroom displays, shopping lists, and food safety and allergen guidance.
To help cover the cost of ingredients and classroom materials, the first 150 teachers to register will receive a €100 Lidl gift card. Lidl Ireland will be giving away up to €30,000 worth of Lidl gift cards across the modules throughout the first year of the programme. Places and vouchers will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and teachers are encouraged to register early.
Primary school teacher, education advocate and content creator Cormac O'Donoghue, is backing the new programme and encouraging teachers to access the free educational resources:
“As a teacher, I’ve seen first-hand that children are far more likely to engage with something when they feel involved in it. Food is no different. When they grow, prepare and taste food themselves, it becomes far more meaningful than simply being told what they should or shouldn’t eat.
What appealed to me about Lidl Foodies is that it has been designed with busy classrooms in mind, giving teachers practical, ready-to-use resources that bring food education to life. It also helps continue those conversations at home, while Lidl’s range of high-quality, affordable fruit and vegetables makes healthy choices more accessible for families. I’m delighted to support a programme that makes learning about food practical, enjoyable and relevant for young children”.
The programme is linked to existing curriculum areas including Wellbeing and SPHE and will also be available as a full Irish-language programme for Gaelscoileanna.
Commenting on the importance of practical food education for young children, registered dietitian Orla Walsh said:
"One of the biggest misconceptions around children and healthy eating is that if they refuse a food once, they simply don’t like it. In reality, it can take many opportunities for a child to become comfortable with a new food, and those experiences are often most successful when there is no pressure to eat it. That is why programmes like Lidl Foodies can be so valuable. A child might grow a vegetable before tasting it, learn where it comes from, prepare it with their classmates or simply become familiar with how it looks and feels. All of those experiences count.
Building a positive relationship with food starts with curiosity and confidence and giving children those opportunities early can make a meaningful difference to how they approach food as they grow.”
Commenting on the launch, Corporate Affairs Director at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland Eimear O Sullivan, said: “As Ireland’s number 1 supermarket for fruit and veg, we believe that helping children build a healthy relationship with fresh food is an investment in their future. As a purpose-driven business, we take our responsibility seriously to contribute meaningfully to the communities we serve. The habits and confidence developed at a young age can shape how children think about food for years to come, which is why we want Lidl Foodies to reach as many classrooms and families as possible.
Our ambition is to make food education more accessible, practical and engaging for children across Ireland. Through our €150,000 commitment, and by combining expert-led learning with high-quality, affordable fresh produce, we hope to create a programme that delivers lasting benefits well beyond the classroom”.
The programme is launching with a bang, with Cork youth music collective Kabin Crew, the group behind the viral hit The Spark, creating a brand-new original single – Lidl Lunchbox Flex – to bring Lidl Foodies to life. Through music, creativity and self-expression, the track aims to inspire a new generation of fruit and vegetable fans.
The launch of this initiative comes as new research by Kantar states that Lidl Ireland, holds the position of Ireland’s number 1 seller of fruit and vegetables***. By leveragingthis market-leading position, Lidl Ireland is utilising the Lidl Foodies programme to translate its commercial success into a practical, community-first ‘vegucation’ for over 30,000 children nationwide.
Lidl Foodies forms part of Lidl Ireland’s Sustainability Strategy and its commitment to supporting customers’ health and wellbeing by providing healthy, sustainable and high-quality products at market-leading prices. It follows the retailer’s recently announced fibre strategy, developed with Registered Dietician and Lidl Nutrition Ambassador, Orla Walsh, сommitting to increase the total tonnage of fibre sold by 20% and boost wholegrains to 20% of all grains sold by 2030.
Registration for the Lidl Foodies programme opens on 15th September 2026. Teachers can sign up through National Schools Partnership.
