Grow it yourself at school

Pupils in primary schools across the country are being invited to start growing their own food, writes Brian Byrne.

Part of a scheme aimed at some 43,000 pupils, the Grow It Yourself movement has teamed with the Innocent drinks company to provide 'Big Grow' packs to those interested.

It's the seventh year of the promotion, which is done through the individual schools. The Big Grow Packs come with soil, growing pots, and seeds, each Pack enough for a class of 30.

More than 125,000 school children in Ireland have taken part over the last six years.

It's not just promoting an interest and knowledge in growing things, it can underpin a healthy lifestyle in the future as there are studies which indicate that children who grow their own vegetables are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables.

Other incentives of the initiative are the prizes — there is a trip to Bloom for the most engaged school, along with a trip to Dublin Zoo and €500 worth of gardening equipment. There are runners-up prizes too.

Registration is available at innocentbiggrow.com.