Lidl and Onside launch summer food club at Selhurst youth zone
Free cooking sessions for children at Legacy Youth Zone aim to teach nutrition and meal preparation skills during school holidays
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A free summer food club for children has opened at Legacy Youth Zone in Selhurst, run by supermarket chain Lidl and youth charity Onside. The project offers hands-on cooking sessions designed to teach healthy eating habits during the school holidays. The first class took place on 3 August 2026, with activities including smoothie-making and fruit tasting.
Why the project matters for Selhurst families
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Lidl’s research, as reported by Inside Croydon, found that most parents feel pressure to provide healthy meals during school holidays. The supermarket worked with clinical psychologist Dr Anna Colton to understand how structured mealtimes benefit children. Colton advised that routines around food help shape eating habits into adulthood.
Jamie Masraff, chief executive of Onside, said the loss of routine and financial pressures during holidays make access to healthy meals important. Around 1,000 young people across Onside’s UK centres will participate in the scheme. Masraff told Inside Croydon, "The loss of routine and additional financial pressures of the school holidays mean it’s important for children to keep their access to healthy meals and regular activities."
The loss of routine and additional financial pressures of the school holidays mean it’s important for children to keep their access to healthy meals and regular activities.
Jamie Masraff, CEO of Onside
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What happens at the sessions
The inaugural class at Legacy Youth Zone included children making smoothies using a pedal-powered blender and tasting fresh fruit. Some tried blueberries for the first time, while others learned that bananas are not grown in England. Youth leaders guided the sessions but let children handle the cooking themselves to build confidence.
How residents can get involved
The summer food club at Legacy Youth Zone will run for several weeks. Sessions are free and open to young people in the area. Parents or carers interested in signing up can contact Legacy Youth Zone directly or visit Onside’s website for details. No formal booking process was announced, but spaces may be limited.
Legacy Youth Zone is located on Whitehorse Road in Selhurst. The project marks the first time Lidl has partnered with Onside, though the supermarket has run similar programmes in previous years. Last year’s clubs operated without the charity’s involvement.
Questions this report answers
+What is the summer food club at Legacy Youth Zone?
The summer food club is a free programme run by Lidl and Onside at Legacy Youth Zone in Selhurst. It teaches children healthy cooking and nutrition through hands-on sessions during the school holidays, with activities like smoothie-making and fruit tasting.
+Who can attend the cooking sessions?
The sessions are open to young people in the Selhurst area. They are free to attend, but spaces may be limited. Parents or carers can contact Legacy Youth Zone for details on how to sign up or visit Onside’s website.
+How many children will take part in the scheme?
Onside estimates that around 1,000 young people will participate across its UK youth centres this summer. The exact number attending the Selhurst sessions is unclear, but the first class was held on 3 August 2026.
+What do children learn at the sessions?
Children learn healthy cooking skills, nutrition, and meal preparation. The first session included smoothie-making using a pedal-powered blender and fruit tasting. Some children tried blueberries for the first time, while others learned where food comes from.
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