Sowing the seeds of healthy eating from a young age

Hundreds of schoolchildren across Torbay have been developing their love of growing fresh food.

Almost 1500 children from 17 Torbay primary schools have taken part in Veg Power’s Growing to Love programme.

The programme provides schools with everything needed to grow tomatoes in the classroom – from seeds to compost – alongside engaging lesson plans and videos.

All 310 children at Torre Primary School in Torquay got involved with the project and have been enthusiastic about it.

Kathryn Bowstead, Torre’s kitchen manager, said: “I am very keen to get the children growing. We would like to get a garden here at the school and we’d love parents to get involved with that.

“It’s good for the children to see tomatoes grown from seed. They’ve loved it. They’ve been very green fingered. Some children have taken them home and repotted them. Some plants have fared better than others.

“Our teaching assistant, Cindy Maclean, even told us about tickling the flowers!”

Cindy said: “I read about tomato tickling. When you keep the plants in the classroom, they don’t get the breeze or have insects to self-pollinate. I suggested we do some tickling. I got a paintbrush and went round the classes to try and get the pollen going.”

Pupil Solomon said: “I’ve learnt plants need three things – sunlight, water and love. Without those, they can’t thrive. It’s been tough since the weather’s been hot but it just means we water them more.”

Lily said: “It’s nice to eat your own produce. When you buy from the shops, they might have chemicals on them. You can grow fresh yourselves and sometimes your own taste nicer. You feel like you’ve accomplished something and they’re full of nutrients.”

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “It’s been great to visit the school see the enthusiasm and pride the children have for their plants.

“They’ve clearly put a lot of effort into nurturing them and they’ve been thinking about what they’re going to make when they take them home.

“They’re also encouraging their parents to plant at home. This all helps to reduce food costs.”

Our public health team helped to fund the Veg Power project, which is designed with input from behavioural scientists, teachers, and botanists.

Involving children in the growing process supports curriculum-linked learning in science and sustainability, helps reduce food fussiness and encourages healthier eating habits.

Having schools on board is vital to reach children early, foster curiosity about food, and empower them to make positive choices for their health and the planet.

The work links in with our Food Action Plan which explores how we can reduce food waste and encourage people to eat a diet that supports the planet.

The action plan came out of the Torbay Food Strategy which looks at how we and our partners can tackle food poverty and poor diets, revitalise local and sustainable food supply chains, and tackle the climate emergency through sustainable food and farming and end food waste.