Wicklow Naturally’s October Feasts Student Challenge 2021 winners announced

It has become clear in recent years that it’s not only adults that are capable of igniting change, young people have shown a strong interest in social and environmental concerns, so during Wicklow Naturally’s month-long October Feast in 2021, 6th Class and Transition Year students across County Wicklow were asked to participate in a student challenge competition and suggest innovative solutions to food waste.

Today (Monday, May 9th 2022), Wicklow Naturally announces the 2021 competition winners. The three winning schools were chosen by a panel of professionals.

Transition Year student, Alison Kenny from Coláiste Chill Mhantáin won an award for her free community pantry idea where neighbours feed neighbours, it’s a similar concept to the little free library / book-sharing movement but with reduced food waste at the forefront.

Two further projects were also recognised by the Wicklow Naturally judging panel and they include 5th and 6th Classes at St. Saviour’s National School in Rathdrum who produced an online recipe book. The book entitled ‘Fridge Raiders’ uses fridge scraps to create a delicious meal or snack and aims to help to reduce wasted food.

6th Class students in St. Mary’s and St. Gerard’s National School in Enniskerry came up with the idea of creating a weekly shopping app and fridge magnet version which allows you to make a shopping list for your weekly meals. The app will recognise any familiar meals and automatically pull up a list of ingredients needed and in addition the weekly planner aims to help prevent food waste.

Wicklow Naturally’s coordinator, Paul Smith, said, “Congratulations to all of the participating schools and winners who took part in our inaugural student challenge last year. I was really impressed by the student’s strong ability to be changemakers and are passionately motivated to help try to solve issues and make a constructive contribution to finding solutions to food waste.”

Each winning school received a certificate of achievement and a free demonstration on food waste and healthy eating with Chef Paul, The Mystic Celt. Read more about all of the winner’s projects below.

“Wicklow Naturally is proud to support and nurture the voices of the next generation of creative problem-solvers on food & climate action and we’re really looking forward to an increased participation in the student challenge which will take place in the autumn as part of the October Feast 2022 celebrations,” concluded Paul.

Download school presentations: 

1. Community Pantry Idea by Transition Year student, Alison Kenny from Coláiste Chill Mhantáin
2. Fridge Raiders – An online recipe book by 5th and 6th Classes at St. Saviour’s National School in Rathdrum
3. Weekly Shopping App by 6th Class students in St. Mary’s and St. Gerard’s National School in Enniskerry 

October Feast

October Feast is about telling the story of Wicklow Naturally’s members, promoting sustainability messages, letting people know what we do and showcasing the beautiful food and drink products from County Wicklow.

October Feast is supported by Wicklow County Council, County Wicklow Partnership, LEADER Programme, Wicklow Local Enterprise Office, and Fáilte Ireland.

About Wicklow Naturally

Wicklow Naturally is the single promotional voice that tells the story of food and drink produced in County Wicklow. It is a brand created to celebrate the food and drink producers who work hard to deliver high-quality products to consumers through the hospitality sector, retail, food and drink events and essential tourism events.