In September 2007 AutoPot launched a new idea called “Little Growers”. The idea behind Little Growers is to help educate children, while having fun, in the way that our food grows. AutoPot had selected seven schools, not five as previously advised, from around the UK to launch the idea for 2008.
There are a wealth of benefits for young children to grow vegetables at school or at home, here are just a few.
Growing your own healthy foods make you more likely to want to eat them too!
You engage many different senses when gardening without even realising.
Growing from the seedling or bulb stage requires daily attention and care.
Learn about different weather environments and how they affect plants animals and mini beasts.
Growing in schools can be a very social activity bringing people together.
Welcome to Little Growers Every parent wants their children to have what’s best for them; to eat fresh fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy nourishing diet. If only it were that simple! But that’s the challenge taken on by Jason Ralph-Smith, founder of Little Growers. He believes that getting youngsters to grow tasty produce is an exciting and educational way of involving them in what they eat. Children love to create something of their own, plant and water it and watch it grow. There’s always great enthusiasm for the tallest sunflower contest or simply growing cress in an eggshell. But do kids know that toasted sunflower seeds make a nutritious and tasty snack or that cress goes well in an egg sandwich? Little Growers aims to harness youngsters’ eagerness and natural curiosity, encouraging them to grow and taste a variety of produce. By enabling children to get involved in growing, Little Growers also encourages them to learn about their environment, sustainability and healthy eating.Let the Growing Begin…A Little Growers set up of unique horticultural equipment is provided to each school including; a polytunnel, irrigation systems, liquid feed, seeds, raised beds and propagation units.
Little Growers staff are on hand to provide advice and support to each school as and when they need it as well as video tutorials and information packs.
Children are enabled to grow a range of produce, which is then used throughout the curriculum in food technology, science, art and business through selling at local markets.
Explore the website to see in more detail how our schemes work and the huge successes we’ve had so far across the UK!
Little Growers is responding to the nationally identified need for improved eating habits and better nutrition. Recent research in inner city areas of the UK found that many young children do not associate a carrot stick with a carrot grown in the ground or a chip with a potato. The Food Standards Agency has found that many school packed lunches contain up to twice the recommended amount of sugar and high levels of saturated fats.So there’s plenty to be done and Little Growers is taking up the challenge and their philosophy is taking root in schools around the UK. Launched in 2008, Little Growers, a community interest company,started work with seven schools around the UK. These included a school for disabled children and a community school for disadvantaged and troubled youngsters. Over 1,350 children ranging from 4 to 19 years old have now had direct contact with Little Growers initiatives.
Feedback from the existing Little Growers projects is extremely positive;The abundant produce was used extensively in science lessons and cooking, Little Growers has really enriched our curriculum.’ Llandudno Primary.I cannot sing the praises of this scheme enough, it has been educational and fun for all involved, in respect of our Eco schemes but also with regard to healthy eating. I sincerely hope this project can continue to grow to enable all school children to reap the benefits we have been fortunate enough to have during this last year’ Hillside Primary.From AutoPot and the Little Growers,
Do you have questions about the Little Growers concept or about the equipment used?
