Soil Association and Pukka join forces on intergenerational growing project to help children ‘Know their Roots’

Soil Association and Pukka join forces on intergenerational growing project to help children ‘Know their Roots’

The Soil Association’s Food for Life programme and Pukka Herbs have teamed up to get children outdoors and help them learn growing skills, as part of a new campaign to promote intergenerational links, food education and environmental knowledge. Launching today, 20 March, the Know Your Roots campaign marks Grandparent Gardening Week, and will see nursery and primary school pupils armed with spades and seeds, learning from nature by growing their own herbs alongside their parents and grandparents.

Research has found that this generation has less contact with nature than ever before –nearly 60% of children are spending less time outdoors than their parents, with only 46% enjoying activities in nature with parents and grandparents. Naturalists and environmentalists including Sir David Attenborough have warned of the loss to society and children’s own development if they are deprived of contact with the natural world. The Know Your Roots campaign builds on knowledge and research that shows there are clear benefits associated with getting children outdoors and growing.

Fifteen lucky schools around the UK will also receive a raised herb planter complete with seeds, compost and all the resources needed to help them kick-start their herb growing journey.

Children will plant, water and care for the herbs, and get to grips with their culinary uses. Home growing herbs, particularly using organic methods, promotes positive health and nutrition and can contribute to a diverse diet full of natural goodness. The extra hands and help mean that school and nursery growing spaces will be rejuvenated in time for spring, and the intergenerational links will offer children the opportunity to gain knowledge from their grandparents.

Food for Life works with schools across the UK, supporting them to deliver a programme of food education that has a positive impact on pupils and the wider community. All pupils at Food for Life schools have the opportunity to grow their own food, and pupils in Food for Life schools are twice as likely to eat five a day and a third less likely to eat no fruit or vegetables than pupils in comparison schools. [1]

Being in nature has been associated with increased well-being among children, and new research from the University of the West of England has found that pupils who grew their own veg in school are more likely to increase their fruit and veg intake, become more aware of the links between food growing and the environment, and have better attention and attainment levels in school. [2]

Inter-generational learning also benefits mental health and wellness for older generations, by combatting loneliness and isolation and providing opportunities for staying active in mind and body. Growing together offers many benefits, and in a world of fast-food convenience helps re-establish our connection to diverse fresh produce. Herbs have value for our nutrition, can contribute to a varied diet and have health benefits. Herb gardens help children connect with, and embrace, nature and the natural world.

James Cashmore, Director of Food for Life, said: “Learning from nature starts with something as simple as growing your own herbs, and we are delighted to be working with Pukka to create opportunities for children to experience the joys and benefits of growing, and for older people to pass on skills that will help ensure knowledge is passed down and resurrected in our future generations. Inter-generational learning is a great way of breaking down barriers and builds understanding between the old and young. The exchange of ideas benefits all, through learning from the past and looking to the future.

The Know Your Roots campaign will continue until July as part of a joint commitment to 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses and not-for-profits, working together for a happier, healthier planet.

References:

[1] Jones M, Pitt H, Oxford L, Bray I, Kimberlee R & Orme J (2015) Pupil survey in local commission areas: Food for Life’s impact on primary school children’s consumption of fruit and vegetables. Full Report. UWE Bristol.

[2] Jones M, Pitt H, Weitkamp E (2017) Food Growing Schools: London. Final Evaluation Report. University of Western England Bristol. All statistics used are based on evaluation surveys with lead school teachers in Sept 2013 (n=504) and Jan 2017 (n=313).