What is Taste Education?

Taste Education is a sensory approach to food education that focuses on exploring fruits and vegetables through hands-on experiences. Based on the evidence-based Sapere method, it provides a practical framework for teachers and practitioners, offering over 100 resources designed to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements for the early years and the National Curriculum for primary schools.

The approach encourages a pressure-free learning environment, with key Golden Rules such as "No one has to try" and "No one has to like," ensuring that children feel comfortable with the process.

By engaging all five senses to explore food, Taste Education helps children build a positive relationship with food. Research shows that this sensory approach significantly improves children's willingness to try new foods.

Why is this important?

In the UK, many children are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. In fact almost a third of children aged 5–10 years old consume less than one portion of vegetables a day. The Taste Education approach has been successful in helping children develop a willingness to try fruits and vegetables. The early years setting provides a safe environment for children to learn new skills, with the presence of a trusted adult ensuring they feel supported and secure when trying something new. Additionally, other children can have a positive influence, encouraging each other to explore new foods together.

What are the benefits and impact of Taste Education?

Taste Education offers a fun and engaging way for children to develop a positive relationship with food. Research shows that sensory food education can help children learn to love eating fruits and vegetables by increasing their willingness to try new foods. This approach not only boosts children's self-confidence but also promotes a 'can-do' attitude, encouraging them to explore a wider variety of foods.

It creates an inclusive environment where everyone can participate in discussions about food, making the lessons accessible to all abilities. The use of open-ended questions ensures that there are no wrong answers, allowing children to express their preferences and understand why they like or dislike certain foods. Taste Education also helps children expand their vocabulary and literacy skills, providing them with the language to articulate their food experiences and preferences.

Sensory food education also benefits practitioners by providing enjoyable activities for teaching about food. It doesn’t require much equipment and can be conducted with just small quantities of fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, it compliments other activities such as gardening, cooking, reading, and art. 

What is on offer in Islington?

All resources for Taste Education are available after attending a free training session. Once the setting has implemented Taste Education with the children, the Health and Wellbeing Team can offer a parent workshop to help the approach be further embedded at home.

For more information about Taste Education in Islington, please contact:
Marjon Willers, Specialist dietitian for schools and early years by email or telephone: 020 7527 5866

Ashleigh is an Associate Nutritionist (AfN) with extensive experience working in various teams, such as the NHS, local authority and private sector. She began in Islington with Whittington Health in the NHS as a Family Health Advisor within the Health Visiting Team. Over the years, Ashleigh has worked closely with children and families, supporting them across the Healthy Child Programme to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Ashleigh has completed a master’s in Public Health Nutrition, combining it with her first degree in Early Childhood Studies. This unique blend of education and experience has made her well-suited for her current role as a Health Improvement Officer in the Healthy Families Team in Islington.

Ashleigh's work is diverse and includes supporting early years settings and schools with menu planning, leading a joint pilot healthy zones project with School Food Matters to create whole-school food policies, and delivering training and supporting settings with taste education.

Marjon Willers is a Specialist Dietitian for schools and early years with nearly 20 years’ experience working in Islington. She has supported many early years settings around food policy, food provision, fussy eating, Taste Education, as well as working with Public Health and Health Visiting on improving infant feeding and reducing childhood obesity. Marjon manages the health eating team and leads on Families for Life programme (including Family Kitchen) for the Health and Wellbeing team at the council. Marjon is a trustee of First Steps Nutrition Trust.