Pupils bring local food to the playground
On 20th March 2013, Binley Woods Primary School is holding their second farmers’ market as part of an exciting project in Central Warwickshire.
Through a project funded by the Central Warwickshire Leader programme, the Soil Association and Mid Wales Food and Land Trust are working with 10 schools across Warwickshire to set up farmers’ markets in the school hall or playground – organised entirely by pupils.
In the classroom, pupils are applying their enterprise skills to establish regular markets – selling their own school-grown/made produce as well as that from local producers.
As well as providing opportunities for pupils to learn about food and farming, the programme helps support small, local producers through the school markets and provides the opportunity for members of the school and wider community to buy local, fresh and seasonal produce and meet the growers, farmers and producers behind the food.
Pupils are involved in running the markets from start to finish. They take responsibility for what happens and the decisions are theirs – enabling schools to communicate the importance of sustainably-produced local food products and providing a context for looking at food chain issues and understanding where food comes from.
Money raised from producer stall fees and the sale of produce made/grown by the schools can then go towards farm visits or food education and environmental projects in their school.
Rupert Aker, Head of Learning at the Soil Association commented on the project: “School Farmers’ Markets are a fantastic opportunity because everyone involved benefits. You see a real difference in pupils as they learn ‘on-the-job’ about farming, animal welfare, food growing, cooking and business enterprise – but it also helps provide a new market for local producers and micro- food enterprises; and it also gives the local community the opportunity to buy affordable and fresh local produce, and meet the farmers who are producing the food.”
Julia Hurt, coordinating the market on behalf of the school said: “We are very excited about holding our second Farmers Market. The scheme is a great way to bring local producers into school and for pupils to learn where their food comes from. It helps pupils to develop their Literacy and Numeracy skills with a clear purpose in mind and also helps them enhance their enterprise skills whilst also promoting healthy eating by introducing them to fresh produce.”
The market will take place on Wednesday 20th March between 2.30pm and 4.00pm at the school: Coombe Drive, Coventry, Warwickshire CV3 2QU. Tel: 024 7654 3754
