Down-to-earth project lets pupils produce 
and sell their own veg

It follows successful local pilots trialled by schools that had found pupils struggling to identify vegetables as basic as the onion.

The initiative aims to inspire more than 100,000 seven- to 11-year-olds to grow their own produce at school to help them learn more about where food comes from and the impact of seasons as well as entrepreneurial skills by selling their food directly to shoppers.

From next week every Waitrose branch will work with four local primary schools, which 
will receive kits to get their vegetable patches in operation, 
including seeds for lettuce, beetroot, peppers, peas and courgettes.

Later in the summer the branches will invite the schools to sell their home-grown produce outside the store.

The gardening television presenter Alan Titchmarsh, who became a spokesman for the retailer earlier this year, said: “Teaching children at an early age about the food they eat and where it comes from is something that I’m very passionate about.

“We’ve all read shocking statistics about how many nowadays do not know what chips are made from or that a blackberry is a type of fruit and not just a phone.”

The 63-year-old, from Ilkley, said: “This scheme will play an important role in helping children understand the journey from field to plate. And evidence shows those who participate in growing projects are more likely to eat a wider variety of foods and make good nutritional choices throughout their lives.”

Waitrose sustainability and ethical sourcing manager Tina Varns said: “Growing at school encourages children to eat well and to go for a wider variety in their food. We believe this is very important as it paves the way for healthy eating. The scheme also allows children to identify where food comes from, the importance of seasonality and the fragility of producing food.”