Sustain report – “Every school a food growing school”

Citation

(2011), "Sustain report – “Every school a food growing school”", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 12 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe.2011.24912bab.001

Sustain report – “Every school a food growing school”

Article Type: News From: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Volume 12, Issue 2

A broad coalition of UK-based education and gardening charities has launched a new report calling for all children to be taught food growing skills in school. The report makes the case that teaching children how to grow food should be a vital tool in nudging children toward a healthier diet and thus reducing childhood obesity. It goes on to explain how this initiative could help the new government to achieve key objectives such as raising educational standards and building a “Big Society”. Case studies included in the report also demonstrate how produce can be sold by pupils, teaching enterprise skills and generating revenue for educational activities. For example, at Orford Primary School in Suffolk pupils sell salad to a local pub, with sales generating £200 in profits so far. The report estimates that schools could collectively generate £4.5 million from food growing activities. It can be seen at: www.sustainweb.org/childrensfoodcampaign/food_growing_in_schools/