Pupils could get to taste new food at school breaktimes as part of a national campaign to broaden children’s diets.

Try Something New Day launched on Tuesday (24 February), organised by the charity Chefs in Schools. It invites teachers to use free activity packs and printables to run weekly breaktime ingredient tastings, from unusual fruit and veggies (like kohlrabi, above) to spices.

There’s no pressure on pupils to eat the ingredients, either – just touching and smelling it counts, too.

Organisers were inspired by research that suggests children who are fussy eaters tend to be more adventurous in school settings than at home, and that hands-on food education can encourage healthier eating habits.

The idea came from Amber Francis, the BBC Great British Menu champion of champions. Now a school chef, she began running weekly tastings for pupils in north London outside of lesson time.

You can find more information at tinyurl.com/chefTSND.