Agri Aware today (Monday 4th November) launched its national healthy eating initiative “Incredible Edibles”. Now in its 12th year, the free initiative for primary schools aims to educate students on how to sow, grow and cook an array of Irish fruit and vegetables to help them get their 7 a day! Schools across Ireland will receive free grow packs including compost, seeds to grow their own school garden along with curriculum-linked interactive educational resources – including lessons on food origin, the health benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and cooking tasks.
Agri Aware’s 2020 Incredible Edibles programme was launched with the help of the 5th class students of Scoil Íde Presentation Primary School, Clondalkin who have developed their growing and cooking skills thanks to the Incredible Edibles programme. The project is going from strength to strength with 1,300 primary schools in Ireland participating in last year’s programme.
According to the National Children’s Food Survey 2019, conducted by the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA), intakes of fruit and vegetables are still low amongst 5 – 12-year olds in Ireland, about 3 servings per day, well below the recommended 5 to 7-a-day.
Agri Aware’s Incredible Edibles is a free healthy eating initiative that is supported by the Department of Education and the Department of Health through the Healthy Ireland framework, the Department of Agriculture, Bord Bia and the horticulture industry.
Speaking at the launch, Chairman of Agri Aware, Alan Jagoe said: “There are a number of benefits to school gardens. As a farmer myself, it is great to see children learn first-hand how to grow and cook their own healthy foods, as well as learning about the work carried out by Irish farmers to produce food for 50 million consumers worldwide. By empowering students in this way, you are guiding them towards a healthier lifestyle. Healthy eating guidelines now suggest that children consume seven+ portions of fruit and vegetables a day – Incredible Edibles is a free healthy eating resource which teachers can use to increase awareness of the production and consumption of healthy Irish produce”.
To register your school for the project or for further information visit www.incredibleedibles.ie