More Than Food: Building Community Through LP Baking and Learning

A Behind the Scenes Look at LP Food Production

The visit began with a complete factory tour — from production to packing — giving families a rare look at how LP foods are made safely, consistently and with care.

Parents were particularly impressed by our automated vertical form?fill?seal packing system. Only four years ago, every pack was filled by hand; today, the process is fully automated, precise and efficient. Many were also surprised to learn that every Promin product is made onsite, and how unusual it is to have a facility dedicated entirely to LP food manufacturing.

There was real interest in our output, the number of countries we supply, and the quality procedures that underpin everything we do. For families who rely on these products every day, seeing the process up close meant a lot.

Hands On Baking With Fred

Then it was aprons on.

Fred led a hands on bakery workshop, teaching practical skills in kneading dough, weighing ingredients and adapting our in house processes for a home kitchen. LP bread is notoriously difficult to make — but every teenager followed Fred’s guidance and produced bread that looked (and tasted) fantastic.

One of the most memorable moments was the pride on their faces when the loaves came out of the oven. For many, it was the first time they’d made LP bread from scratch.

A Space Where Everyone “Just Gets It”

Beyond the skills and the learning, the day created something deeper: connection.

Parents and teenagers had the chance to meet others who share the same challenges, swap experiences and feel part of a community that understands the realities of living with a metabolic condition. One parent later shared:

“More than anything, it was just so lovely to be in a space where everything felt… normal.”

That sense of belonging is something we care deeply about at Firstplay.

Support From the MCH Dietitians

We were also joined by Lucy and Georgie, the dietitians from Manchester Children’s Hospital — our closest clinic and long standing partners.

Their support was instrumental in organising the visit, and they spent the afternoon running formula trials with the teenagers. Products like metaX XPhe jump and XPhe minis were sampled and enjoyed, giving families the chance to try substitutes that play such a big role in daily management.

We’re incredibly grateful for their expertise, their energy and their commitment to supporting families.

What Families Took Away

Our hope was that families would leave with:

• practical baking skills
• confidence to try new things at home
• a better understanding of how their food is made
• and, most importantly, a sense of community

From the messages we received afterwards, that’s exactly what happened.

What’s Next

This was the first event of its kind — but it won’t be the last. The response from families, the enthusiasm from the teenagers, and the collaboration with the MCH team have shown us how valuable these days can be.

We’re already looking at future dates and new ideas to build on what we started.

Community is at the heart of Firstplay, and we’re proud to create spaces where teenagers and families can learn, connect and feel supported.