Eat Smart

Eat Smart is a successful primary school educational programme inspiring children and schools to reduce food waste and build sustainable food systems. We deliver engaging resources and learning experiences that empower schools and pupils to take action, have more ownership of their kitchens/dinner halls, improve student wellbeing, and have increased environmental awareness.

Since 2022, Eat Smart at REfUSE has enabled 20 schools in Durham and Sunderland to rescue their food waste by over 23%, equivalent to saving 2,400 meals worth over £6,000 per school per year and are working with our partners to affect school food procedure and policy on a regional and national level. Eat Smart was developed by BIND UK and is generously funded by Kavli Trust, Sunderland City Council and Karbon Homes. We are excited to be working in partnership to build capacity for community led transformation of our food system, and to be inspiring hundreds of children to be the change-makers. Winner of two County Durham Environment Awards 2023 and Waste Warriors at South Stanley Infants and Nursery achieved Highly Commended County Durham Environment Award in 2025

Is YOUR school up for the Eat Smart Challenge?

We are recruiting new schools.

Want to know more about Eat Smart for your school?

Please complete this short online form or contact engagement@refusedurham.org.uk Please do get in touch.