More than 750 children showcase food education skills at markets across England
There was plenty to tempt shoppers at this summer's School Food Matters market days. Potatoes still covered in soil, bright bunches of herbs, colourful salad leaves, tomato plants, rhubarb and redcurrants were all on sale, alongside homemade jams, chutneys and scones and, at one market, even duck eggs.
But the biggest attraction was the children behind the stalls. Over the course of the summer, 755 children from 114 schools took to markets across England, proudly selling the fruit, vegetables, herbs, plants and homemade goods they had grown or made themselves through our Know Your Onions, Schools to Market and Young Marketeers food education projects.
At every one, children transformed from gardeners into young traders. They explained to shoppers how they had grown their produce from seed, counted change, arranged eye-catching displays, came up with creative ideas such as mystery bags and free lavender plants, and confidently encouraged passers-by to buy their produce.
The impact of those experiences was clear to see. One child proudly said: "Now I've learnt how to speak to people in public!" Another seized every opportunity to boost sales, telling one customer: "It's £2... but it is for charity so you can always pay more!" At another market, excitement reached fever pitch as one group of children shouted: "WE'VE SOLD OUT!!" while, in Sheffield, another simply beamed: "I just can't stop smiling."
Across the three projects, this summer's market season generated more than £9,000. Over £7,100 was donated by children to local and regional food charities through Young Marketeers. Meanwhile, Schools to Market generated more than £1,400 and Know Your Onions almost £600 to invest back into future cooking and growing projects at participating schools. Along the way, children welcomed MPs, mayors and councillors to their stalls and shared their projects with BBC television and radio crews and local newspapers across the country.
Behind every market stall were months of learning. Through the projects, children developed practical growing, cooking, teamwork, enterprise and communication skills while deepening their understanding of where food comes from. They planted seeds, cared for crops, visited farms, worked alongside expert gardeners and learnt to cook their own produce. It's this kind of hands-on food education that helps children build the knowledge, curiosity and practical skills they need to develop a lifelong positive relationship with food.
As the last stalls were packed away, one child's question summed up the success of the summer: "You are coming back to us next year, aren't you?". We certainly hope so!
Find out more about our food education projects and keep an eye on our website and social media channels for information about applying when programmes reopen for our 20th anniversary year in the autumn.
