Know Your Onions
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School Food Matters photo of students selling produce on Market Day -
School Food Matters photo of students planting fruit and veg in their school-gardens -
School Food Matters photo of students on farm visit -
School Food Matters photo of a student preparing to cook fish -
School Food Matters photo of students cooking
What is the Know Your Onions programme?
Know Your Onions is all about connecting young people with where their food comes from and bringing them closer to nature through fun, hands-on learning experiences.
Working with our expert gardeners, students learn to plant fruit and vegetables in their school gardens, which they later sell at their local street market. They also visit a nearby farm and enjoy a cooking masterclass with tasty vegetable dishes, immersing themselves in every part of the food journey.
The programme, in its tenth year, is open to secondaries in Camden, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham, and Islington.
The sessions focus on:
- Building on what students learned about plants, soil, and produce in primary school
- Teaching young people to cook simple healthy meals from scratch
- Helping students develop basic business and communication skills
Can I attend a seasonal sale?
Yes! Find out how we got on at our 2026 Market Days on our blog. Sign up to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates on the project and future Market Days.
How can our school get involved in Know Your Onions?
We normally recruit schools between September and March. Please email dela@schoolfoodmatters.org if you are interested in bringing the programme to your school.
Sign up for our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss out on our food education opportunities.
Know your onions in the press
In 2026, our Know Your Onions young producers and traders were featured in local press, including the Barking and Dagenham Post, Barking Magazine, Camden Magazine, Hackney Magazine, Islington Tribune, London Now, London Post and Tower Hamlets Magazine.
Need help setting up your school garden?
Check out our dedicated gardening resources page
We’ve had amazing feedback
“It is important for young people to grow up with a clear understanding of the world around them and how to be responsible citizens, caring for the environment in which we all live. Know Your Onions helps students develop these skills, in a fun and creative way.” - Teacher
"Seeing the students so engaged and motivated and enjoying the fruits of their labour, quite literally, was great. They were utilising their maths skills, communicating with members of the public and being enterprising.” - Teacher