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Organised by Veg Power and sponsored by Tilda, the challenge recognises the vital role catering teams play in delivering the Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign and highlights the benefits of a whole-school approach to promoting healthier eating habits among pupils.

Torre Church of England Academy and ACE Caterers secured the gold award after impressing judges with their creative and coordinated efforts to engage children, staff and families in the campaign.

Their programme included older pupils taking on the role of ‘Veg Hunters’, designing campaign badges, planting vegetable seeds to take home and encouraging participation among younger children and parents.

A standout feature of their entry was a student-led Eat Them to Defeat Them day, during which pupils worked alongside kitchen staff to co-design menus and performed an original vegetable-themed song with the school choir.

The partnership also claimed the Tilda Challenge title for its innovative food offerings, including Coral Cafe rice boats, fresh vegetable platters and homemade vegetable soup.

The winners will receive a trophy, certificate and £1,000 in unrestricted funding for the school, along with £500 for the catering team.

Dan Parker, chief executive of Veg Power, said: “We were delighted that so many schools and catering teams participated in our first Eat Them to Defeat Them Schools Challenge. From judging the entries it was evident that the whole school had come together - the teaching staff, pupils, parents and caterers - to implement this year’s Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign.

“There were so many creative ideas that really brought the campaign to life, ultimately helping to increase its success within schools and increasing vegetable consumption. Thank you once again to Tilda for its support and congratulations to everyone who participated, submitted entries and of course to all the winners.”

The silver award was presented to Telferscot Primary School and Nourish, based in Balham in the London Borough of Lambeth. They will receive £500 in school funding, £250 for their catering team, plus a trophy and certificate.

Five schools received bronze awards and £100 in unrestricted funding. The recipients were Currie Primary School and Edinburgh County Council, Carrington Infant School and Culinera in High Wycombe, Two Gates Primary School in Tamworth, Iver Heath Junior School and The Pantry in Iver, and Pinner Park and Nourish in the London Borough of Harrow.

Annette Coggins, head of foodservice at Tilda UK, added: “Their entry was a fantastic example of how creativity, collaboration and a whole-school approach can transform the way children engage with vegetables. The catering team's outstanding contribution to the Tilda Challenge particularly stood out.

“Their imaginative Coral Café Rice Boats, made using Tilda Brown and White Rice, demonstrated how simple, nutritious ingredients can be turned into exciting, appealing meals that encourage children to eat more vegetables.

“At Tilda, we are proud to support a challenge that recognises the vital role catering teams play in creating positive food experiences and helping children develop healthier eating habits. We hope their success inspires schools and caterers across the country to continue finding creative ways to make rice, vegetables and balanced meals an enjoyable part of every school day.”

Eat Them to Defeat Them was launched by Veg Power in 2019 to address low vegetable consumption among children in the UK. According to campaign data, 80% of children do not eat enough vegetables, while one in three consumes less than a single portion each day.

Campaign evaluations indicate positive results, with 82% of parents reporting that their children ate more vegetables after taking part.

This year’s campaign reached 300,000 pupils across 1,000 schools nationwide, bringing the total number of children engaged since its launch to more than 1.8 million across 6,000 primary and special schools. The 2026 programme was sponsored by Sainsbury’s and supported by local authorities, school caterers and vegetable producers.