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The Caterers’ Challenge recognises the crucial role that all catering teams have in bringing the campaign to life and contributing to its success within participating schools.

The Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign ‘inspires’ children to eat more vegetables in school and to continue that behaviour at home. Over the last six years, over 1.5 million different children from over 5,000 primary and special schools have benefited from the schools’ programme.

Dan Parker, chief executive at Veg Power, said: “We are always so grateful to all the catering teams who help bring the Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign to life within schools. Their commitment, dedication and creativity are instrumental to the success of the campaign - and ultimately helping to influence children’s vegetable eating habits.

“We are running the same format as last year’s Caterer’s Challenge because it acknowledges and celebrates the important contributions that all the catering teams make and we would like to encourage as many catering teams to enter in 2025.”

The judges will award each catering team’s submission with either a Gold, Silver or Bronze category depending on their level of engagement and achievement with Eat Them to Defeat Them. Teams awarded Gold will receive a certificate and a £500 cash prize.

All Gold winners will be offered a fully expenses paid trip to LACA to collect their award and a trophy for them to keep. Catering teams awarded a Silver will receive a certificate and a £100 cheque.

Annette Coggins, head of foodservice at Tilda UK, added: "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Veg Power’s Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign and to once again sponsor the Caterers' Challenge. As a certified B corp company, we are committed to making a positive impact, and this initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire healthy eating habits among children.

“This year’s Vegiverse theme is an exciting opportunity to celebrate creativity and collaboration across all schools catering teams, recognising their innovation and dedication to nutritious meals. We can't wait to see the incredible vegetable and Tilda rice recipes that will emerge and to honour the outstanding efforts of catering teams in shaping healthier futures for children.

“By using our Tilda Brown & White rice as the vehicle for all their yummy vegetables, schools are also helping support Mary’s Meals, who feed children in education centres across the world."

To enter the 2025 Caterers’ Challenge, teams should capture digital images of their displays and delicious vegetable and rice recipes. Visit: https://eatthemtodefeatthem.com/caterers/caterers-challenge/ to submit entries. Entries open from 10th March and close on 5th May. This year there will be three Gold and 15 Silver awards up for grabs.