A BASILDON business says it is "excited" after teaming up with a plant-based food manufacturer in a bid to get little ones eating healthier foods. 

Nursery Kitchen, based on the Burnt Mills Industrial Estate, produces fresh meals for nurseries across the country. 

It has now teamed up with plant-based food manufacturer Gosh!. 

It means the brand's sweet potato pakora and mediterranean falafel will feature in options on offer to nurseries. 

The partnership comes after numerous reports which reveals concerning nutrition habits among pre-schoolers.

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According to the 2021/2022 National Child Measurement Programme, more than a fifth of British children are obese or overweight by the time they get to primary school.

Head of food at Nursery Kitchen, Hannah Dolan, said: “Children need to have access to healthy food choices at the earliest possible age to have the best chances of carrying through such preferences and eating habits into their adult years.

“We believe that giving children a broad range of flavours and textures is key to inspiring independent selection and a love of healthy food.

“We’re excited to partner with Gosh! as an established brand which shares our mission to make a positive difference to lives through championing a wholesome, healthy diet.”

Head of Marketing at Gosh!, Caroline Hughes said: “Our products are designed to banish any blandness from mealtimes – something which is particularly critical for children as their interests in different foods develop from such an early age.

“Our partnership with Nursery Kitchen allows us to reach more children at this critical life stage, influencing better diet choices one nursery at a time so we can help create a happier, healthier life for future generations.”

The new additions to Nursey Kitchen’s menus will be included in an upcoming meal due to be launched this month called ‘teddy bear’s picnic’.

The dish was created to encourage children to enjoy a family-style lunch with others at nursery along with trying different selections of food including Gosh! falafels and pakoras, crudites, dips, pita, cheese, and fruit.