Grow Your Own Grub
Background
The Grow Your Own Grub website is a free resource designed to allow schools to run simple, affordable food-growing projects with an emphasis on healthy eating and environmental issues. The resource was developed in 2006 from a practical project designed and run by members of a Healthy Eating Project at Portsmouth City Council. The project supported inner-city schools in deprived areas with little growing space and with little or no previous experience of growing. The project identified a lack of resources widely available to schools at a national and local level. The website provides a comprehensive guide to growing four different vegetables with a class of children over a summer term. The site provides school staff with practical information, comprehensive lesson plans, learning resources for pupils and fun activities to promote healthy eating.
Aims and Objectives
The project is designed to addresses issues around access to affordable fresh food, children's knowledge of where food comes from and the environmental impacts of industrial food supply chains, outdoor learning and exercise.
Target Group
The main target group are school children and also teachers and parents.
Methodology
When NRF funding allowed sufficient staffing the project model was developed and run in schools in Portsmouth. The website now enables schools on a national scale to access the project. On a local level practical training and support is offered to local schools when starting the project and then to develop growing activities further. Work is now being done to develop a network of schools to support each others growing projects.
Evaluation
The initial practical project was evaluated through teacher, parent and pupil feedback. The website is still in its promotion phase, although local schools have responded to the site and several have requested future training sessions.
Funding
NRF funding paid for the initial practical project (£60 - 80 per school) and the development of the website £2200 for development and 5yr hosting (not including staff salaries to produce the material on the site)
Promotion
Promotion of the website on a national level is now underway mainly through relevant voluntary organisations and websites that school staff will access.
Lessons Learnt
The level of staff support to run the projects with schools was not sustainable due to wider funding constraints on the overall project. It is hoped that the website will allow the project to be replicated in schools with a lower level of reliance on our staff for practical support and allow the project to be available at national level.
Future Developments
We are now considering developing another version of the website for general adult use and for residential settings. Further funding will need to be found to achieve this aim. Plans for applying for funding for a dedicated worker to offer practical growing assistance to schools in Portsmouth are being considered.
Contact Details
Name: Lesley Berry
Phone: 023 9268 8397
Email: lesley.berry@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Web: http://www.growinggrub.co.uk/
Local Authority Name: Portsmouth City Council
Local Authority Address: Health Improvement & Development Service Floor 1, Civic Offices Guildhall Square Portsmouth PO1 2EP
Other Resources: