Our Food Bag Project: Connecting Food Technology and English in a Powerful Way

Students combine literacy skills and food technology to meet the needs of community members

It was a new semester and a new idea connecting Food Technology and English was being taught at Rototuna Junior High School. Module teachers Irma Cooke, Jo Brooks and Ginny Taylor introduced the ‘Fusion’ year 7 and 8 module to students by providing them with opportunities to ‘fuse’ some of their own food combinations. Making their own berry and chocolate brioche, pizza and pasta were some of their first encounters of the concept of ‘fusion’ foods in an Umu (earth oven).

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The brief for students was inspired by the food delivery company ‘My Food Bag.’ Students investigated common issues for people in our community and how they could support those people (the stakeholders) by providing a prepared meal. Students looked through a critical lens: just like a food technologist would in the real world.

Sam Cane popped into school one afternoon to introduce the ‘My Food Bag’ company to students and to take part in a mystery bag cook off with Fraser Hill (RJHS principal) and two students. This was a great opportunity for students to develop their knowledge around the concept of delivered food bags that suit people’s needs.

In particular, students focused on existing food concepts that support people who are “time poor,” including those whose lives are busy with sports and long work hours as well as common food issues such as eating gluten free or dairy free. One group even delved into the growing need for people who require halal food.

Over three trials students worked in groups to perfect their prototype. They were researching new skills, altering flavours, testing and trialling recipes (from Nadia Lim’s cookbook ‘Dinnertime Goodness’) and tweaking meals to suit their particular stakeholder needs. Feedback from teachers and peers supported these students along the way.

Part of the literacy focus for students was to create static images. Students created their own RJHS Food Bag logos, bag design and recipe cards.

Another literacy focus was for students to research and then justify why their particular concept suited the stakeholders’ need. This project proved that this depth of knowledge in collaboration with literacy allowed for the students’ prototypes to be a higher standard than she has seen from this age previously in technology.

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Irma Cooke


Irma Cooke, a former Chef and now puts to good use her skills and passion for food as the Food Technology teacher for Berkley Normal Middle School. When she isn’t judging Waikato’s restaurants or working with students teachers for Waikato University, she’s having fun planning her next project for her middle school students at Berkley Normal Middle School.