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Soil Association and Pukka join forces
on intergenerational growing project
to help children ‘Know their Roots’
The Soil Association’s Food for Life programme and Pukka Herbs have teamed up to get children outdoors and help
them learn growing skills, as part of a new campaign to promote intergenerational links, food education and environmental knowledge. Launched on 20 March,
the Know Your Roots campaign marks Grandparent Gardening Week, and will
see nursery and primary school pupils armed with spades and seeds, learning from nature by growing their own herbs alongside their parents and grandparents.
Research has found that this generation has less contact with nature than ever before – nearly 60% of children are spending less time outdoors than their parents, with only 46% enjoying activities in nature with parents and grandparents. Naturalists
and environmentalists, including Sir David Attenborough, have warned of the loss to society and children’s own development if they are deprived of contact with the natural world. The Know Your Roots campaign builds on knowledge and research that shows there are clear benefits associated with getting children outdoors and growing.
Fourteen lucky schools around the UK will also receive a raised herb planter complete with seeds, compost and all the resources needed to help them kick-start their herb growing journey. David Thomas, Lead
Chef at Aurora St Christophers in Bristol, said: “We feel very fortunate to have been gifted the resources from Pukka Herbs
and the Food For Life team to be able to construct something that our pupils can learn and reap the benefits from. Our school is consistently striving towards a healthier, more nutritious and sustainable approach
to our menus and to be able to incorporate more of our own home-grown produce is another push in a positive direction. We look forward to celebrating this event annually, allowing us to engage in our surrounding communities and to improve our food for the betterment of our children’s health. Thank you to all of the Food for Life team and to Pukka Herbs for all your support and generosity!”
Children will plant, water and care for the herbs, and get to grips with their culinary uses. Home growing herbs, particularly using organic methods, promotes positive health and nutrition and can contribute to
a diverse diet full of natural goodness. The extra hands and help mean that school and nursery growing spaces will be rejuvenated in time for spring, and the intergenerational links will offer children the opportunity to gain knowledge from their grandparents.
Food for Life works with schools across the UK, supporting them to deliver a programme of food education that has a
positive impact on pupils and the wider community. All pupils at Food for Life schools have the opportunity to grow their own food, and pupils in Food for Life schools are twice as likely to eat five a day and a third less likely to eat no fruit or vegetables than pupils in comparison schools.[1]
Being in nature has been associated with increased well-being among children, and new research from the University of the West of England has found that pupils who grew their own veg in school are more likely to increase their fruit and veg intake, become more aware of the links between food growing and the environment, and have better attention and attainment levels in school.[2]
Intergenerational learning also benefits mental health and wellness for older generations, by combatting loneliness and isolation and providing opportunities for staying active in mind and body. Growing together offers many benefits, and in a world of fast-food convenience, helps re-establish our connection to diverse fresh produce. Herbs have value for our nutrition, can contribute to a varied diet and have health benefits. Herb gardens help children connect with, and embrace, nature and the natural world.
James Cashmore, Director of Food for Life, said: “Learning from nature starts with something as simple as growing your own
herbs, and we are delighted to be working with Pukka to create opportunities for children to experience the joys and benefits of growing, and for older people to pass
on skills that will help ensure knowledge is passed down and resurrected in our future generations. Intergenerational learning is a great way of breaking down barriers and builds understanding between the old and young. The exchange of ideas benefits all, through learning from the past and looking to the future”.
The Know Your Roots campaign
will continue until July as part of a joint commitment to 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses and not-for-profits, working together for a happier, healthier planet.
[1] Jones M, Pitt H, Oxford L, Bray I, Kimberlee R & Orme J (2015) Pupil survey in local commission areas: Food for Life’s impact on primary school children’s consumption of fruit and vegetables. Full Report. UWE Bristol. [2] Jones M, Pitt H, Weitkamp E (2017) Food Growing Schools: London. Final Evaluation Report. University of Western England Bristol. All statistics used are based on evaluation surveys with lead school teachers in Sept 2013 (n=504) and Jan 2017 (n=313).
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