In order to reflect its international community, Heritage International School in Moldova has moved away from traditional cuisine in favour of a broader, global offering.
Rob Ford, director at Heritage International School, said: “Parents, staff and student feedback recognised the high quality of the food, but the demand was really clear: we needed to reflect our international identity more, especially with families, students and staff from all over the world in our community.
“We also wanted to harness the quality of food in Moldova and that local pride in organic produce to our new menus and approach. This was also about the strong commitment we have as a school to the UN’s SDGs and how we want to live them and incorporate them into our daily practices.”
The independent school now holds international food Friday where pupils get to sample food from different countries each week, including the UK. Ford said: “Having been a principal and senior leader in schools in the UK for many years, I knew the impact and value of initiatives like fish and chips Friday or roast dinner Wednesday on learning, engagement and community moral. The canteen is so central to school life, we ignore it as its peril.”
The school has celebrated events like St George’s Day for the UK and Thanksgiving for America, allowing pupils to experience the world through food.
Ford added: “The students love the concept and we have seen the uptake of meals in the canteen. The next stage for us is to look at meat-free Monday, and the Cambridge Global Perspective iGCSE students are working with the canteen on reducing both food waste and food miles.
“One of the best moments of any day for me is to see my colleagues and students sitting together in the canteen as an international school in Moldova, breaking bread or a naan or a tortilla, and watching a real international school community continue to grow and develop.”
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