PUPILS from Haberdashers’ Monmouth School took centre stage at this year’s Marches Conference, sharing their powerful message about creating deforestation-free, regenerative food systems starting with what’s on their school plates.

As primary school students these students alongside friends from schools across Monmouthshire successfully campaigned for a deforestation-free approach to school dinners, showing how young people can drive meaningful climate action in their own communities.

The presentation from Size of Wales highlighted the global drivers of tropical deforestation, beef from Brazil, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, and soy. These ingredients often enter UK markets in hidden ways: soy is mostly imported as animal feed, while palm oil, beef, and cocoa appear in ultra-processed foods found on supermarket shelves and in catering supply chains.

Size of Wales explained how a deforestation-free diet works hand in hand with a regenerative approach- one that supports local farmers, soil health, biodiversity, and fair supply chains. By supporting higher quality local meat and dairy and a mix of proteins which include beans, pulses, and seasonal produce, schools can help protect tropical forests abroad while restoring ecosystems and supporting rural economies at home.

“We can’t protect tropical forests without also supporting the people who grow our food here in Wales,” said Nicola James from Size of Wales. “It’s all connected.”

At the conference, the pupils showcased their Korma Campaign, an innovative, student-led project that is proving that school menus can reduce the risk of driving tropical deforestation. The recipe was designed by students in collaboration with the Cook Along Clwb, featuring UK grown organic pulses, ingredients which can help build resilience into UK farms while costing the council less than the existing chicken-based recipe.

The students also experimented with corned beef pasties, an ingredient a high risk of driving deforestation in Brazil. Their version used grass-fed regenerative beef from local farms like Marches Conference host Square Farm and considered how to stretch the beef further with vegetables and naked oats to reduce both costs and environmental impact.

Their message echoed the Future Generations Commissioner’s call for deforestation- free Welsh public sector by 2028, showing how young people are already putting that vision into practice.

Monmouthshire County Council has shown courageous leadership by listening to the children and committing to championing deforestation-free menus, proving that collaboration across generations can drive real, exciting change.

“The students joined the discussion that included the farmers, the council, and the conservationists, showing that each play a vital role in the story of our food system. When they work together, they show what’s possible, a food future that is fair, local and deforestation-free,” added Nicola James from Size of Wales.

The presentation drew an extensive round of questions and admiration from delegates, who praised the pupils’ clarity, confidence, and vision for a future where Welsh communities thrive in harmony with the planet.