Jacket potatoes are enjoying a resurgence thanks to Anglesey-based Menter Môn, which has helped deliver Ty Tatws, a new street food concept reshaping secondary school canteens in South Wales.
The humble lunchtime staple is winning over pupils thanks to a reimagined street food-style concept.
A new scheme called Ty Tatws is transforming secondary school dining across Rhondda Cynon Taf, offering loaded jacket potatoes with bold branding, fresh toppings and a high-energy, food truck-inspired atmosphere.
Rachel Margetts, school catering dietitian for Rhondda Cynon Taf, said: "We wanted to create something contemporary, affordable and genuinely exciting for young people, something that feels more like street food than traditional school dinners, while still delivering the healthiest possible option.
"The bright branding, the fresh toppings and the daily specials are making a real difference, and the feedback so far has been fantastic."
'Spud Stations' are already operating at Porth Community School, St John Baptist Church in Wales High School and Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School, with enthusiastic responses from students.
The Ty Tatws menu features daily specials and a rotating selection of toppings, from classic beans and cheese to heartier options like chilli or barbecue chicken.
Vegetarian choices are available every day.
The concept is rooted in sustainability as well as flavour.
All the potatoes served are grown in Wales, supplied by AJ Carrington and Sons Ltd, and delivered directly from farm to school to minimise food miles and support local producers.
Ms Margetts said: "We started this journey ourselves, focusing on increasing the amount of Welsh produce across our menus, and then Larder Cymru came in to help us launch the concept.
"Their support has been incredible.
"Together, we're building something that supports our pupils, local suppliers and the wider environment."
Ty Tatws is part of Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Taith Bwyd 2025–2030 Sustainable Food Strategy, which aims to improve the nutritional quality of school meals, strengthen Welsh supply chains and lower environmental impact.
It also supports Larder Cymru's Street Food Concept, designed to bring modern grab-and-go dining to secondary schools across Wales while maintaining high nutritional standards.
David Wylie, project manager at Menter Môn, which delivers the Larder Cymru project, said: "This is about making healthy choices easier for pupils.
"When they see something fresh, colourful and high quality, they're much more likely to choose it."
Councillor Sharon Rees, cabinet member for education and young people, said: "It is encouraging to see such a positive response from pupils, and this initiative demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting learner wellbeing."
Ty Tatws is rapidly becoming a student favourite, combining nutrition with a fun and appealing dining experience.
More information is available at https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Resident/SchoolsandLearning/SchoolMeals/Secondaryschoolmeals.aspx
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