The initiative encourages communities to eat and dine together, connecting over the dinner table, bringing those from all different backgrounds, young and old, together. The campaign which covers schools, care homes and pubs, sees venues across the UK given free access to a whole host of materials which will provide them with the tools to put on a ‘Bisto Community Table’.
For schools, the packs will contain everything from table talkers to providing students with conversation pointers and designated boxes to give up their phones, the materials are designed to help communities really connect.
The project kicked off at Park Community School in Havant, whose kitchen is headed up by LACA School Chef of the Year, Steven Cross. The day hosted by Bisto, perfectly complemented the school’s existing ‘Munch Club’ which helps to tackle holiday hunger. The Bisto day was open to anyone living in the Havant area, and gave them the opportunity for a free roast lunch. It was attended by a host of locals, including children, families and the elderly.
Steven Cross, head chef at the school said: “Things like the Bisto Together project bring everyone together. It’s a lovely ethos and it’s fundamentally a nice thing to do.
“The project focuses on getting the community eating and dining together, connecting over the dinner table and, in the process, helping them spend more time together. The hope for events like today, is that it will drive community spirit by allowing schools to cater for several parties from different backgrounds, young and old. I think that it’s down to us as a community, or certainly as a school, to help,” says Steven.
Park Community School’s ‘Munch Club’ has been running successfully for a number of years, and now regularly includes Thursday evenings and Sunday lunches in term time, as well as Christmas lunch, which was attended by 120 people last year.
Fourteen-year-old Charlie has been attending the club for two years. By coming during the school holidays he’s been able to have a space to meet his friends and get a hot meal, an opportunity he otherwise might not have had at home.
“The club helps the community get together and helps people get food when they normally wouldn’t have it,” he says.
Community projects such as this, can give people who need it a place to learn and educate each other, in addition to receiving a hot meal and the chance to socialise.
Sarah Robb, channel marketing manager at Premier Foods, added: “We have had a great day in Havant today. Hosting a Bisto Community Table is a great way of encouraging pupils to not rely on technology and to interact in a relaxed environment, coming together over different foods is the perfect start as it’s something which unites us all. We encourage schools across the country to get behind the movement and to register for a toolkit today.”
Get involved
Eating together is seen as particularly important over the Christmas period, and through the Bisto Together project, schools are able to bring the community together around the dinner table.
From this month (September), if you register your community table, you will be sent a free sample of Bisto Gravy Granules to help with your event. The first 50 schools to register will also receive a special toolkit worth more than £200, which will include recipe ideas, bunting, table talkers, posters plus table games as well as a template press release to help get word out in your area.
To register, all you need to do is email sarah.robb@premierfoods.co.uk with your event date.