SuperValu and GIY have teamed up for the second year to bring ‘SuperValu Let’s GROW’ to 50,000 primary-school children across Ireland this spring.
This will bring the total number of children educated through the programme to 100,000.
The 2024 initiative was announced on Wednesday at Solas Chríost National School, in Tallaght, Dublin.
The school was the winner of the 2023 initiative, after it developed its own food-growing grading system.
It was awarded a new school garden to the value of €1,000, installed by GIY.
‘Food Empathy’
All participating schools will receive a ‘SuperValu Let’s GROW’ classroom pack, with the necessary tools for food-growing, designed by GIY.
The pack will include seeds, compostable pots, compostable discs, a GIY resource booklet, and lesson plans.
All schools taking part will be in with the chance of winning a school garden.
Research by GIY has shown that when children grow their own food, they develop ‘food empathy’. This is a deeper connection with food, which leads to a healthy lifestyle.
GIY founder and chief executive Michael Kelly cited the development of food empathy as an important step in developing a healthy lifestyle.
Kelly said, “Not only is this important for the future health of our nation, but it is also an opportunity to provide children with the life skills to grow their own food and obtain a natural appreciation for fresh, seasonal, healthy foods.”
A Global Impact
The initiative is in line with SuperValu’s ‘Take Local Action, Make Global Impact’ sustainability campaign, which aims to highlight the small changes that people can make at home to create a global impact.
The managing director of SuperValu, Ian Allen, expressed his excitement at the initiative entering its second year.
Allen said, “Our commitment to supporting communities is exemplified through initiatives like these […] where we take our responsibility for shaping the next generation’s awareness of healthier and more sustainable eating practices.”
Speaking at the launch, last year’s winning teacher, Alan McDonnell, highlighted the benefits of the campaign.
McDonnell said, “This initiative is a brilliant opportunity for children to not only learn a new skill, but also interact with each other and their teachers in a new way and learn all about the food system.”
Schoolteachers can apply online at www.supervaluletsgrow.ie, where growing packs are available while stocks last.
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