Dole, one of Co-op's suppliers of fresh produce, is making a significant contribution to our community by donating fresh produce to our Community Fridge and Breakfast Club. Every Monday, we collect fresh fruits and vegetables from Smithfield Market and bring them to school.

This generous donation ensures that our students and community members have access to healthy food options. Our Community Fridge provides fresh produce to families in need. Previously, our donations consisted exclusively of cupboard essentials like pasta, rice, tins, and jars. With Dole's contribution, visitors can now leave with ingredients to prepare fresh, healthy meals and explore cooking with new ingredients. 

Each morning, we run a breakfast club 'Big Belle Vue Breakfast' to ensure that our students are fuelled for their school day. Prior to Dole's contributions, our offerings were limited to bakery items and cereals, lacking fruits and other nutritious options. Now, thanks to Dole, we are able to provide students with a variety of fresh fruits each week, including apples, oranges, pears, and bananas.

 We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Dole over the next academic year. Our goal is to utilise the fresh produce to enhance our Design Technology curriculum, educating students about food and nutrition. Additionally, we have exciting plans for Dole to collaborate with Belle Vue's Responsibility & Eco Committee, encouraging learning about sustainable food growth practices and supporting our academy in developing these initiatives.

We are grateful to Dole, and Co-op, who have made this collaboration possible, and we look forward to continuing to support our local community with access to healthy food.