A brand new partnership that aims to put homegrown food centre-stage in classrooms across Ireland by enabling 50,000 children to learn how to grow food at school, has launched.
Students at Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Inchicore, Dublin 8 officially launch the ‘SuperValu Let’s GROW’ initiative in partnership with GIY late last week. This nationwide campaign is being run by the not-for-profit social enterprise, GIY and it is the start of a 3-year partnership with SuperValu. Classrooms will be provided with the tools for food growing and food literacy education.
The ‘SuperValu Let’s GROW’ pack provides schools with everything they need to start growing their own vegetables, including packs of seeds, compost discs and pots for growing, as well as teacher resource packs with curriculum-linked lesson plans and activities.
Over 50,000 children are set to take on the challenge of growing their own food, starting on their classroom windowsills this Spring.
SUPPORTING HEALTHY HABITS
Helping to launch the initiative, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD said it would help support ‘healthier living’.
“This initiative puts growing food firmly back on the table for students, leading to the development of lifelong skills that will support healthier living… I believe this initiative holds benefits for students far beyond the classroom and look forward to seeing the students’ growing success this year.”
Speaking at the launch, GIY Founder and CEO Michael Kelly explained how impactful the simple act of sowing seeds can be for children.
“Through our work, we know that by growing their own food children develop a greater curiosity and understanding of how food is produced and how it gets to our tables. Perhaps most importantly, research consistently shows that children who grow some of their own vegetables are more likely to eat more vegetables – a vital habit to support healthier people and the planet. Our research also shows us that through growing food and getting their hands into the earth there are huge mental health and well-being benefits for children.”
REGISTRATION OPEN
Schools across the country are encouraged to register online at www.supervaluletsgrow.ie to receive a free classroom growing kit while supplies last. Each ‘SuperValu Let’s GROW’ classroom pack includes seeds for cress, peas, salad leaves, pumpkins and sunflowers. There are also 32 compostable pots, 32 magic compost discs and expert GIY resource booklet with growing guides, lessons and activities created by GIY and lots of classroom goodies.
