More than 170 million seeds will be given away to the computer-game generation as part of a new National Trust campaign, launched today.
Food Glorious Food has been designed to inspire children to ‘grow their own’, with all the associated health and social benefits. The National Trust hopes the great seed giveaway will encourage families to spend time together outdoors, get some exercise and hands-on experience, and ultimately eat more fresh produce.
Organisers have calculated that it takes just 42 minutes of involvement for children to grow their own meal, making it possible to incorporate into even the busiest lifestyle. They suggest it takes six minutes to prepare the soil and plant seeds, two minutes to bed them in, then a total of 25 minutes to tend and water the plants as they grow, and another nine to harvest and wash the vegetables, ready to cook.
Catering to those with very limited outdoor space, the free seeds include the equivalent of up to four million easy-grow pumpkins and 70 million lettuces for gardens and allotments, and 26 million bags of rocket for window boxes. They will be distributed at more than 700 family events at National Trust properties across the UK between the May half-term and the end of October.
Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust, said: “Through this campaign we want to reach and inspire a new generation of young people to connect with the land and grow food.
“We know the positive side-effects are far reaching – from being outdoors to learning an essential life skill, growing food has a potential role to play in addressing some of society’s key issues.
“The National Trust has been growing food for 100-plus years and we want to use our experience to help children to have fun discovering how easy it is.”
The National Trust produces food on its estates using sustainable methods and is committed to the use of local, seasonal produce in its kitchens and 150 restaurants.
Professor Judy Dunn, co-author of A Good Childhood and development psychologist at King’s College London, said the scheme could help address many of the social problems associated with the younger generation:
“One theme in our research is that there’s a need for a more caring ethic and less aggression in the UK today. We believe that one way to help counteract the trend we’re seeing in excessive individualism is to expose children to different experiences, to enhance their sense of wonder and help them experience something greater than themselves.
“Growing food with children provides a good opportunity to do this, whilst providing quality family time and fostering practical life skills for the future.”
Nutritionist Claire MacEvilly of the Medical Research Council also supports the initiative.
“A critical factor in changing negative lifestyle behaviours is the exposure to new foods and an incentive to try them,” she said.
“Teaching a child how to cultivate their own vegetables and fruit could encourage healthier eating and increase the time spent being physically active, which are vital in tackling rising childhood obesity and its related health problems.”
Kimber Sharko, Chappo@gmail.com around 1 year, 3 months ago