Education

A pilot Food for Life Education project lasting 3 years began in schools and communities of the Cairngorms National Park in April 2011.  This is a partnership project between Soil Association Scotland and Cairngorms National Park Authority and is supported by LEADER.

The project actively encourages schools and communities to become involved in learning more about growing and cooking seasonal, healthy food and finding out what local produce is available in the Cairngorms National Park.

Cooking

• In partnership with the Academy of Culinary Arts’ Chef Adopt a School Scheme, local chefs are being trained to visit schools to cover topics such as enjoying food through all the senses, what we need food for, how to eat a balanced diet, food handling skills and how to create a meal from raw ingredients. Download this information sheet to find out more.

• Equipment is being provided for schools to start after school cookery clubs, and resources are being provided for activities during cooking times based on local and seasonal produce.

• The Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus will be situated in Aviemore for a week in May 2012. 130 P7s from schools in the Badenoch and Strathspey area will visit it for sessions on cooking local food with CPD modules for teachers to embed learning in the schools. Community sessions will also be available.

Growing

• Through Education Scotland’s Developing Global Citizenship Peer Support and Collaboration programme, bespoke growing courses to help teachers understand what and when to plant for the harsh upland climate of the Cairngorms will take place in spring this year. This project will develop peer support learning links between primaries in associated school groups.

• In partnership with Highland Small Communities Housing Trust, a local apprentice scheme has been helping prepare some school gardens to be ready for children to plant. Download this information sheet to find out more.

Farm visits

• In partnership with the Royal Highland Education Trust, a ‘Countryside, Food & Farming’ day is planned for P6s of one of the associated school groups in Cairngorms National Park. Children will experience hands on learning related to farming cows and sheep, deer management, growing cereals in the North of Scotland, and general management of land for food production.

Cairngorms Food for Life is supported by LEADER.