From food waste to food sense - children leading the fight against food waste

By engaging children early, the Eat Smart programme aims to cut food waste, inspire lasting behaviour change and build a national movement for more sustainable food systems.

About the project

Eat Smart is an educational programme developed by UK-based organisation Bind. It works directly with primary schools, where pupils, teachers and kitchen staff collaborate to understand and reduce food waste.

Through hands-on workshops and real-life data, children learn where food comes from, why waste matters, and how their everyday choices can make a difference. The programme empowers them to take ownership – not only in school, but at home and in their wider communities.

Over the next three years, Eat Smart will expand significantly, reaching thousands of pupils and building a network of schools working together to drive change – including influencing policy and food systems at a broader level.

What Kavli Trust funding will support

Funding from the Kavli Trust will enable the expansion of Eat Smart across regions and nationally in the UK. The grant will support:

• Delivery of the programme in new schools and locations
• Training pupils as “waste champions” and change-makers
• Development of tools, resources and methodology
• Partnerships with new organisations to scale impact
• Building a national movement to reduce food waste
• Strengthening Bind’s long-term sustainability

The approach combines early intervention, prevention and strong local engagement to create lasting impact and positive ripple effects across communities.

About the organization

Bind Food Waste Innovation is a non-profit organisation based in Newcastle, UK. Founded in 2016, it has become a leading voice in tackling food waste through education, innovation and cross-sector collaboration.

Bind works with schools, local authorities, businesses and communities to design practical, scalable solutions that reduce waste and promote more sustainable food behaviours.