With 16 establishments across the capital having taken part, the programme – now in its sixth year – aims to develop a ‘good food culture,’ teaching them about fresh, healthy food to improve nutrition and wellbeing.
As well as a whole school assembly to launch the programme and outline its purpose – and engage all pupils not just those participating – Schools to Market organised a number of activities across the weeks.
These included:
- A school assembly to launch the programme
- Farm visit to learn about growing vegetables and allow students to pick their own supplies for their chosen chutney recipe
- Back at school, children worked on making their chutneys, devise a marketing plan and prepare for their market day
- Market Day – students sold their chutneys at local London Whole Foods stores and met international chutney suppliers
All money raised from the market day will be reinvested into each school, to help pay for seeds, gardening or cooking equipment and “leave a lasting legacy” of the programme.
Schools to Market founder Stephanie Wood said: “It’s amazing what young people can learn all via the power of a little pot of chutney.
“Schools to Market harnesses their enthusiasm to discover and learn, and gives them lifelong skills as they take their chutney on a journey from seed to supermarket.”
The scheme also instills ‘lifelong skills around food choices’ to give the youngsters an ‘interactive experience you can’t get in the classroom,’ in a bid to tackle rising childhood obesity rates.
Ben Woodgate from Whole Foods commented: "It is one of the highlights of the year having the Schools to Market sale days.
“We have in-store sample days most days from recognised brands, but these are a bit different.
"The whole ethos of Schools to Market is to get children excited about food - about growing, cooking and selling it. The fact they are learning along the way is a fantastic by-product."