03 May Get, set, grow: 60 Essex Primary Schools produce their own food
Pupils from 60 Primary Schools throughout Essex are growing basil, carrots, lettuce, potatoes and much more. They’re taking part in the Essex Schools Food & Farming Event, which teaches children in year four, five and six how their food moves from farm to fork.
The popular campaign has been organised by the Essex Agricultural Society since 2007. This year, participating schools received a free goody pack that included a VegTrug Planter, crops to grow and eat, alongside gifts from local companies.
Over 3,000 children are taking part, thanks to an innovative new online portal which features growing tips and videos from farmers and food-related companies from across Essex.
The Essex Agricultural Society’s chairman of Essex Schools Food & Farming Day, Annabelle Rout, said: “I always really look forward to the Essex Schools Food & Farming Day 2022, it is so important to educate children about where their food comes from and how farmers grow the food we eat.”
The portal is divided into zones that give pupils and teachers an insight into crops, food, machinery, livestock and the environment. They can even access recipes, to make the most of the Marriages flour and Tiptree jam in their parcels.
The schools also received plants that were grown and donated by students at Writtle University College near Chelmsford. Lucy, who is studying Level Three Horticulture, said: “I think it’s great that primary school children are given the opportunity to learn horticulture at such a young age as it’s a useful skill”.
Writtle University College lecturer Sandie Cain added: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Essex Schools Food & Farming Day. Our students enjoy helping their local community and have been using our campus greenhouses to grow sow basil, tomatoes and other crops. We hope that the pupils enjoy learning about food, farming and the environment.”
