Primary School pupils taught to grow their own fruit and veg
Sessions have been taking place for almost 1,500 pupils
Primary school pupils from 17 schools in Torbay have been learning how to grow fresh food.
They've taken part in Veg Power’s Growing to Love programme which provides schools with everything needed to grow tomatoes in the classroom – from seeds to compost.
All 310 children at Torre Primary School in Torquay got involved with the project and have been enthusiastic about it. Kathryn Bowstead, Torre’s kitchen manager, said: “I am very keen to get the children growing. We would like to get a garden here at the school and we’d love parents to get involved with that.
“It’s good for the children to see tomatoes grown from seed. They’ve loved it. They’ve been very green fingered. Some children have taken them home and repotted them. Some plants have fared better than others."
“Our teaching assistant, Cindy Maclean, even told us about tickling the flowers!”
Cindy said: “I read about tomato tickling. When you keep the plants in the classroom, they don’t get the breeze or have insects to self-pollinate. I suggested we do some tickling. I got a paintbrush and went round the classes to try and get the pollen going.”
Pupil Solomon said: “I’ve learnt plants need three things – sunlight, water and love. Without those, they can’t thrive. It’s been tough since the weather’s been hot but it just means we water them more.”
Lily said: “It’s nice to eat your own produce. When you buy from the shops, they might have chemicals on them. You can grow fresh yourselves and sometimes your own taste nicer. You feel like you’ve accomplished something and they’re full of nutrients.”
Councillor Hayley Tranter, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “It’s been great to visit the school see the enthusiasm and pride the children have for their plants.
“They’ve clearly put a lot of effort into nurturing them and they’ve been thinking about what they’re going to make when they take them home.
“They’re also encouraging their parents to plant at home. This all helps to reduce food costs.”