'Our children are learning through doing, and they feel proud to be making a difference'

A school has introduced a ‘pay-as-you-can’ food shop to battle hunger, while children are learning about food sustainability and money. Education editor Abbie Wightwick reports

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THURSDAY morning and parents are buying groceries at their children’s school after dropping them off for the day.

Bryn Celyn Primary School opened a pay-as-you-can food shop at the start of this term to help families with the cost of living, as well as to teach children about money and sustainability.

Headteacher Liz Berry says she has no doubt that some of her 182 pupils arrive at school hungry and that some of their parents are also going hungry with food and other bills rising.

Bryn Celyn in Pentwyn, Cardiff, serves one of the capital's least advantaged areas, with between 72% and 82% of pupils eligible for free school meals.

Although universal free school meals are now provided for all primary school children in Wales, the measure is still used for data purposes.

Despite that one free meal a day, as well as a free breakfast club at Bryn Celyn, there is still hunger here, and in other schools.

Mrs Berry and her family engagement officers hope the shop, which is used by families and staff, and a clothes and uniform donation shop about to open beside it, will not only ease financial pressure on families but also address food waste and help recycle rather than discard clothes in good condition.

‘The pay-as-you-can shop, housed in a repurposed industrial container, has a fridge and freezer and sells fresh and frozen meat and vegetables, as well as tins and other store cupboard staples, sanitary and household products.