Community Food Champions tackle unhealthy eating!

Over the last 12 months, Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme has assembled a group of 16-17-year-olds who will use social action to tackle unhealthy eating. 

The Community Food Champions programme, funded by UK Youth and Biteback2030, aims to empower young people to investigate the challenges they face in accessing healthy and nutritious food in their local area. 

Following extensive consultation with local stakeholders such as Olivia Blake (MP for Sheffield Hallam), Rob Cox (SWFC Head Chef), and SWFCCP weight management program cohorts, the Community Food Champions have put together the "Eating Betta" Campaign, which aims to encourage healthy eating on matchdays through targeted advertisement and lead to an increase in healthy snacks available as an alternative to junk food. 

SWFC Head Chef Rob Cox said: “This is a great opportunity for the group of young people; it’s so refreshing to see young people wanting to make a positive change in the local area when it comes to challenges faced in accessing healthy food.” 

The Community Food Champions' weight management consultation found that many participants believe alternatives to junk foods at Hillsborough Stadium would be extremely beneficial and think that it would be a positive move for all sports facilities and venues to do the same. 

Local MP Olivia Blake has also expressed her support for the Community Food Champions' campaign by proposing that the young people visit Parliament to present their project and encourage an open discussion on why healthy food is needed in local sports facilities and what people in a position of power can do to also get on board and provide much-needed support. 

If you would like to learn more about the Community Food Champions Programme, contact Jacob.Walkland@swfc.co.uk.