The African Food Sale: Celebrating Culture, Community & Black History Month

In 2022, my sister and I brainstormed how to make Black History Month more meaningful at school. We decided to celebrate our culture through food, because for us, nothing says pride like a shared meal.

Cooking and sharing food is more than just nourishment in African culture; it's a symbol of pride, heritage, and connection. Our African Food Sale was born from that idea: a celebration of our culture, brought to life through dishes cooked and donated by parents in our community. We wanted everyone to experience that joy.

Every year, we invite students from all year groups to get involved. We design the posters and set the menu. Then, our mum works with parent contributors to coordinate all the food donations. She also handles the caterer for health and safety, making sure everything is delivered on the day.

With our friends and volunteers, we set up, serve, and run the sale. It's a fun, energetic hour of teamwork. The magic of our food sale goes beyond delicious meals and happy faces. It's in the friendships forged behind the scenes, the teamwork, and the sense of community. Food has a way of bringing everyone together - teachers, parents, and students - making them feel included and connected.

Our Achievements So Far

Permanent Fixture – The African Food Sale is now a regular part of our school’s Black History Month celebrations.
Fundraising Impact (confirmed by our Accounts Department) – We’ve proudly raised funds for our school each year:

2022: £339
2023: £415.56
2024: £747.90 (£536 via ParentPay + £212.90 in cash)

Smarter Systems – In 2024, we moved from serving food from coolers to pre-packed meals, making the sale quicker and smoother.
Growing Parental Support – More parents are getting involved each year - we’ve grown from ten to twenty!
Big Demand – On the day, our food sales often beat the school canteen, with even teachers queuing up to buy!
Cultural Discovery – Last year we introduced Benachin, a Gambian jollof rice, alongside the Nigerian jollof, which sparked a fun debate on the best jollof in West Africa.

Looking Ahead

This event is about more than a fundraiser; it's a celebration of culture that fosters pride, collaboration, and camaraderie.

We'd love for you and your daughters to get involved!

This year, we're moving fully to ParentPay, and the payment window will close early to help us all plan. Look for our posters and join us. It's a joyful reminder that abundance isn't just about food but about the community we create around it.

Thank you,

Golibenachukwu (10C) & Onyinyechi (13T)