Grow It Yourself

100,000 children are set to experience growing their own food this year, with GIY and SuperValu’s ‘Let’s GROW’ Initiative 

We all know the potential for change that lies with the next generation, so it’s great to hear that SuperValu and the not-for-profit social enterprise GIY (Grow It Yourself) have teamed up for the second year to bring the 'SuperValu Let's GROW' programme to another 50,000 primary school children throughout Ireland this spring.

This means that 100,000 primary school children will have been educated in growing food through the 'SuperValu Let's GROW' initiative, having been supplied with the resources to grow their own fresh food for free at school. Research carried out by GIY shows that when children grow some of their own food they develop what we call "food empathy", a deeper connection with food, which is proven to lead to a healthier lifestyle.

The partnership aims to elevate the significance of homegrown food within classrooms and households across Ireland and schools can register for free food growing kits – which are available for as long as stocks last.

All of the participating schools nationwide will be in with a chance to win a school garden and the 2024 nationwide campaign was announced at Solas Chríost National School in Tallaght, Dublin, who were crowned the winners of the 2023 initiative, after they developed and adopted their own food growing grading system which assessed how the pupils made food growing even more interesting via creativity and imagination. The school was rewarded with a new school garden to the value of €1,000 from SuperValu which was installed by GIY.

Each participating school receives a 'SuperValu Let's GROW' classroom pack which includes everything needed for food growing and food literacy education. Designed by GIY, the 2024 packs include seeds such as cress, peas, salad leaves, beans and sunflowers, along with 32 compostable pots, 32 magic compost discs and an expert resource booklet with growing guides, lessons and activities, created by GIY to enhance the learning experience.

GIY Founder and CEO Michael Kelly says, "Food-empathetic children have better diets, eat more fruit and vegetables and have a better understanding of food and nutrition. At a time when Ireland still has among the highest rates of childhood obesity in the EU, establishing a deeper connection with food is more important than ever. In addition, children who have grown some of their own food are more likely to try new foods at home as a result. Not only is this important for the future health of our nation but it is also an opportunity to provide children with the life skills to grow their own food and obtain a natural appreciation for fresh, seasonal, healthy foods – and it's always a thrill to see the excitement of kids when the SuperValu Let's GROW kits arrive in their classroom!"

Building on the success of empowering children to grow their own food in schools, and in line with SuperValu's ‘Take Local Action, Make Global Impact' sustainability campaign, which aims to showcase the small actions everyone can take in their homes, stores and towns to make a collective global impact, SuperValu and GIY are also growing the initiative beyond the classroom, with GIY GROWBoxes now also available in selected SuperValu stores nationwide. The expansion of the 'Let's GROW' initiative ensures that the joy and learning experience of growing food can extend to every home, allowing families to deepen their connection with the food on their tables.

School teachers are invited to apply online for a free 'SuperValu Let's GROW' food growing pack at www.supervaluletsgrow.ie available while supplies last. Additionally, families looking to start their own growing journey can visit their local SuperValu store to pick up a GIY GROWBox.

Top 5 Tips for Growing Food with Kids

• Kids love sowing seeds (or indeed anything that involves getting their hands dirty). Bigger seeds like those from peas, beans, squashes, pumpkins and courgettes are easier for younger children to handle.
• Give kids some autonomy in the veg patch. Give them a dedicated raised bed or part of a bed for them to experiment with. Let them grow what they want to grow.
• Encourage them to grow fruit and vegetables that are fast growing so that they see a quick return. Radishes are a good example. Runner beans and sunflowers will get tall quickly. Get them to measure themselves against the plants each week.
• Encourage them to sample crops out in the veg patch. They will love grazing on sweet carrots, tomatoes, strawberries and peas, and it will help develop their palette.
• The top GIY activities for kids are sowing seeds, digging and watering. Basically, the messier the job, the more they will love it.