Future Farmers Medway, which runs from October 2023 to August 2024, will support four local primary schools to build relationships with local farmers and producers, bringing knowledge and passion to the whole school community.
Grace Dennis, local programme manager, said: “We’ll provide schools with the resources, expertise and transport to visit local farms, host school farmers markets and really help their children to understand where food comes from and why our local food economy matters.”
Future Farmers Medway will build on the success of Food for Life’s partnership with Medway Council, which has seen 20 schools in the area engage with the programme to embed a healthy school food culture through the dining room, classroom and beyond the school gates.
Cllr Teresa Murray, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Health, added: “We’re working to build a healthy, sustainable local food economy across Medway and local farmers and schools are an important part of that economy.
“This initiative is a key element within the work we do in our Medway Food Partnership. It is vitally important that all children understand where food comes from. We are committed to encouraging all of our residents to make healthier choices, and for healthy food to be accessible for all residents so they can live longer, healthier and happier lives.”