Year 6 pupils at Waunfawr Primary School have been taking part in an engaging sustainability and global citizenship project delivered by Size of Wales, in collaboration with Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Procurement and Catering teams.
Size of Wales is a charity working to make Wales part of the global solution to climate change. In partnership with Indigenous Peoples and local communities around the world, it helps secure and sustain at least 2 million hectares of tropical forest, an area equivalent to the size of Wales. The charity also tackles climate change by inspiring and empowering people in Wales to support the protection and restoration of tropical forests.
Over the course of three weeks, pupils have taken part in a series of interactive workshops delivered by Size of Wales, culminating in a full-day session last week. These sessions introduced learners to the concept of global supply chains, the hidden impact of “forest risk” ingredients such as beef from South America, palm oil, soy used in animal feed, coffee, and cacao, and the importance of making environmentally responsible food choices.
Supported throughout by the council’s Procurement and Catering teams, pupils explored how everyday food items link to issues such as deforestation and the environmental footprint of different ingredients. As part of the programme, they took part in a detailed menu analysis activity, tasked with redesigning a school meal that improves nutritional value, remains cost-effective, and reduces reliance on ingredients associated with global deforestation.
The final dish, created entirely by the pupils, will be unveiled at the Caerphilly Food & Drink Festival on Saturday 18 April 2026. The young people will present their recipe and share what they have learned with MasterChef winner James Nathan and festival visitors. James will offer feedback on the dish as the pupils prepare to present it to Caerphilly County Borough Council later this year.
Festival-goers will have the opportunity to sample the dish free of charge and hear directly from the pupils and James Nathan about the ingredients linked to tropical deforestation, brought to life in a fun, accessible and engaging way.
Visitors are warmly encouraged to come along and meet the team at the Size of Wales stand between 11am and 1pm.
A CCBC spokesperson said: “We are so happy to have worked with Size of Wales on this project. The pupils have shown exceptional creativity and awareness—not just in understanding global food systems, but in designing practical, meaningful solutions. Their enthusiasm for sustainability has been inspiring.”
A spokesperson for Size of Wales said: “We should be serving food in schools that doesn’t drive tropical deforestation overseas. Young people understand this immediately—and time and again, they show how achievable it is to design meals that are deforestation-free, healthy, and nutritious. These meals can support the planet, strengthen local rural economies, deliver value for the public purse, and nourish growing bodies.
“We’ve been delighted to work with another forward-thinking council that is committed to partnering with the young people it serves—providing food that is not only good for them today but also supports their future as they grow into adults on this planet.”
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