Sustainability

We are committed to doing what we can to help teach children about the benefits of a balanced lifestyle to support both their physical and mental wellbeing. Alongside this, we recognise the interconnected nature of the food we eat and the health of the planet we live on. We are continually exploring new packaging methods, reward materials, and print processes - improving each as we go - to ensure Food Dudes remains a successful programme with a sustainable focus.

Find out how we are committed to sustainability:

Compostable Packaging

Since November 2022 all of our fruit and vegetables have been delivered to schools in fully compostable packaging. This packaging, and any food waste, are taken from schools to a CRE certified composting facility where it will be safely utilised. The packaging is custom designed  for Food Dudes, using TIPA LAM 607. All TIPA products are fully compostable. The Food Dudes deliveries are made as a CRE certified closed loop compostable system, which ensures that the packaging and food waste is collected and composted responsibly in a traceable system that is environmentally friendly. 

This system has revolutionised how we deliver the Food Dudes programme and is part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Fresh Produce

Fresh fruit and vegetables are washed, chopped,  prepared and packed into compostable packaging daily for delivery to up to 20,000 pupils nationwide participating in Food Dudes.

During Phase 1 of the programme, pupils from junior infants to 1st class receive 16 days of deliveries, on a 4 day cycle. During the intervention junior pupils will taste each fruit and vegetable 4 times, as part of the taste and try model. Fruit and vegetables provided in 2023 included: Apples, oranges, blueberries, bananas, carrots, peppers, cherry tomato, cucumber.

During Food Dudes Week children have the opportunity to try a variety of different fruit and vegetables over 5 days of deliveries. We are committed to sourcing and including Irish produce when seasonal and available. Some of the Irish produce provided on the programme this year include strawberries, apples, peppers, carrots and cucumber. 

Rewards

In keeping with our sustainability commitment, we have reviewed our rewards and removed the plastic packaging. We have also updated the rewards, with new paper and wood-based designs made from sustainably sourced materials where appropriate. The current rewards available to schools include:

• Aluminium bottles - with recyclable PP lid
• Ruler pencils – FSC approved materials
• Fruit and vegetables sticky notes- made from recycled paper
• Wooden colouring pencils - FSC approved materials
• Our lunchboxes are of course reusable and recyclable, and now we are making the move to lunchboxes made entirely from recycled materials.

Digital Resources

We have worked to shift to a digital offering for many of our resources. Food Dudes video episodes are available to watch online, we have made a significant reduction in DVD production, while accommodating schools' needs. We have also made many of our educational materials, resources and activities available online,  as part of continued efforts to reduce our impact on the environment.

Print Materials

Pupil, teacher and parent-face communications are fundamental to the success of the Food Dudes Healthy Eating Programme. Over the past 18 months, Food Dudes have implemented a host of sustainable print-efficiencies, including:

• Consolidating print deliveries in an effort to reduce unnecessary logistics and CO2 emissions
• Reducing the volume and size of our print materials, thus reducing the amount of raw materials used
• Changing to FSC grade paper, thus demonstrating responsible use and management of forests
• Using environmentally friendly soya-based inks and ensuring efficient recycling of paper-based materials
• Using biodegradable/recyclable packaging during fulfilment & distribution