Six Luton schools have teamed up with Groundwork Luton and South Bedfordshire, the environmental regeneration charity, to encourage pupils and their families to grow and cook their own fruit and vegetables and eat a healthier diet.

The charity has been working with Denbigh High School, Denbigh Juniors, Denbigh Infants, Denbigh Pre-School and Beech Hill Primary to set up areas for food growing at each school; and to establish a 'Grow It, Cook it, Eat it' after-school club at three of the schools.

A Groundwork project officer has been working with school staff to run the after-school sessions and activities have included planting garlic, broad beans and onions and making healthy snacks such as vegetable pizzas and broad bean dip.

Grow their own

Following the sessions, pupils can take home seeds and compost so they try growing their own.

The project has provided the schools with the equipment and materials such as tools, gloves, wellies and seeds so that they can continue to run gardening activities.

Hillborough Junior School, where Groundwork established an after school club in 2008 are also involved in the project.

Family event

In the February half-term, Groundwork will be teaming up with Luton Healthy Schools Programme, NHS Luton and Bedfordshire Community Health Services to run two family Grow it, Cook it, Eat it events.

These free events, to be held at Hillborough Junior School on Tuesday February 16th and Denbigh High School on Wednesday February 17th from 10am to 12.30pm, will give families an opportunity to see how everyday food can be prepared in a healthy way and show them how to get growing at home.

To attend and reserve a place for you and your family call Groundwork Luton & South Bedfordshire on 01582 720147 or email Vicky Duxbury stating the required numbers of places and the age of any children.

Enthusiasm

Vicky Duxbury Environmental Education Officer at Groundwork Luton and South Bedfordshire said: "The pupils' enthusiasm for the project has been fantastic. It's great to see them enjoying themselves out in the fresh air digging and planting, or in the kitchen tasting new fruit and vegetables which they haven't tried before."

Coral Campion, Deputy Head Teacher at Beech Hill Primary School said: "I think this project is particularly valuable for our parents and children as it allows them to grow food that they may not have space for in their own gardens. It is also very important that children understand where our food comes from and they really enjoy eating something they have grown themselves."