Prison Food Education Programme
Supporting prison catering teams to lead healthier, more inspiring kitchens. Our flagship programme combines practical training, digital learning and ongoing support to help prisons improve food, develop skills and create lasting change.
It all starts in the prison kitchen
Every day, prison kitchens prepare hundreds - sometimes thousands - of meals. They are one of the most important departments in any prison, influencing the health, wellbeing and daily lives of everyone they serve.
Over the past decade, we've worked alongside prison catering teams across England and Wales. Time and again, we've met talented, committed professionals who want to create healthier, more exciting food, inspire the people they work with and build kitchens they can be proud of. They want to learn, share good practice, develop new ideas and try a different approach.
The challenge isn't a lack of passion or ambition - it's a lack of time, resources and specialist support. That's why we created the Prison Food Education Programme: a practical, evidence-based programme that gives prison catering teams the knowledge, confidence and tools they need to transform food from the inside out.
Empowering prison kitchens teams
Every prison kitchen is also a classroom. Alongside preparing meals, catering teams work with prisoners every day, teaching practical skills that can shape future careers and healthier lives beyond prison.
We believe catering teams are the key to transforming prison food. When staff are equipped with the knowledge, confidence and inspiration to cook more fresh food from scratch, the impact extends far beyond the menu. Prisoners gain richer, more meaningful training, learning modern cookery techniques in kitchens that reflect the standards of the hospitality industry rather than simply large-scale food production.
By investing in catering teams, we're investing in everyone they work alongside. Better food creates a better working environment for staff, a better learning environment for prisoners and, ultimately, a better food culture across the whole prison. That's why we see prison catering teams not simply as cooks, but as agents of change.
What’s included?
Every Prison Food Education Programme is tailored to the individual prison, but each one combines practical training, digital learning and ongoing support to create lasting change.
Digital Learning Platform
Access to engaging video learning modules covering nutrition, menu development, sustainability and the global prison food system. Staff can learn at their own pace, revisit content whenever they need it and hear from chefs, dietitians, academics and other food experts.
Hands-on Kitchen Training
Regular visits from one of our Food Educators, working alongside catering teams in the prison kitchen. Together we develop healthier menus, introduce new recipes, build practical skills and support staff to create positive, sustainable change.
Recipe Bank & Resources
Access to our growing library of more than 100 prison-tested, costed and nutritionally-analysed recipes, together with educational resources and practical materials designed specifically for prison catering.
Ongoing Support
Food forums, tasting sessions, implementation support and continued access to our learning platform ensure teams remain connected, inspired and supported long after the programme has finished.
The Impact
Our Prison Food Education Programme creates change at every level of the prison food system.
Catering teams gain the knowledge, confidence and inspiration to lead healthier, more innovative prison kitchens.
Prisoners learn valuable cookery and food skills in professional kitchen environments, helping prepare them for employment and life beyond prison.
Prison kitchens serve more fresh, nutritious food from scratch, creating healthier menus and a stronger food culture.
Prisons benefit from more positive, engaging kitchen environments where food supports health, wellbeing and rehabilitation.
The changes last. Through digital learning, practical resources and continued support, prisons are equipped to keep improving long after the programme has finished.
