Food for Life Partnership co-founder Jeanette Orrey MBE, was one of five women shortlisted for the 2013 Daily Mail Inspirational Woman of the Year Awards held on 11 November 2013. Jeanette is a former school dinner lady with over 20 year’s practical experience of providing good school food. Founded in 2003, the Soil Association led Food for Life Partnership works in nearly 5,000 schools across England improving school food and increasing cooking and growing skills.
Transforming school dining rooms
Jeanette’s no-nonsense and common sense approach combined with her years of experience working in school kitchens allows her to offer first hand, practical advice on how schools can improve and transform their dining rooms, school kitchens and the food they serve. She is passionate about food education in schools and believes strongly in ensuring that everybody has a voice when school food is on the agenda.
Speaking at the awards, Jeanette said, “I am delighted to have been shortlisted for this award. To be part of the Food for Life Partnership is an honour, and this recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the team. We have a clear vision that every child has a right to good, wholesome school food and that food poverty will one day be a thing of the past.”
Shaping understanding of food
Tony Mulgrew, Catering Manager at Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College, Halifax who nominated Jeanette for the award said, “Working for the same goal, knowing that we are part of something that in years to come will have shaped people’s understanding of food and where it comes from has been the biggest and most satisfying feeling yet. Working with Jeanette, as part of the Food for Life Partnership, you are not alone, the bigger picture is out there and you are growing with it.”
Jeanette also set up and leads the Food for Life Partnership National School Cooks network – a group made up of school cooks around the country – sharing her inspiration and providing other school cooks with valuable insights, support and motivation.
About The Food for Life Partnership
The partnership has created a network of nearly 5,000 schools across England committed to transforming their food culture. It supports them to provide fresh, well-sourced and nutritious meals and improve their overall lunchtime experience. It helps children, adults and teachers understand the importance of good nutrition and where their food comes from through practical cooking and growing activities and farm visits. The initiative is led by the Soil Association, bringing together the practical expertise of Focus on Food, Garden Organic, the Health Education Trust and the Royal Society for Public Health.
It is free for schools in England to enrol and provides a wealth of resources to support their progress through the award framework.
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