Mini food growers & nature detectives

The Pitch

Problem statement

The mini food growers and nature detectives project will help nursery age children to grow food and explore their natural environment. The School's nursery has requested us to deliver this work. The School is situated in a neighbourhood where there is lower than average green space, poor air quality (it is near the Old Kent Road) and high food insecurity. We will expand the activities to include more nursery children and develop the nursery playground with more raised beds and planters for food growing, and increase biodiversity.

Solution

The children will learn about and explore the natural environment, how to grow food and where their food comes from, leading to healthy food choices. It is important to educate young children about food growing to influence future healthy behaviours. Your funding will be used as follows: - Tools and equipment - Soil and plants - Raised planter beds and bug hotels - Nature storytelling performance. 40+ children will learn about the natural environment and food growing while improving skills, confidence and team-working.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

We are already delivering food growing after-school clubs and workshops for the older children at Surrey Square School from the all year Edible Rotherhithe polytunnel garden teaching space, and outdoor raised planter beds and mini orchard. All of our tutors have appropriate qualifications.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

40 people

Expected impact

At least 40 nursery age children will have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, biodiversity and food growing while improving their skills, confidence, well-being and teamwork.

Track record

Edible Rotherhithe has delivered food growing, gardening and arts & crafts clubs and workshops for younger people and adults in Southwark since 2014. We have transformed Surrey Square School's outdoor space by constructing a new 18ft x 16ft polytunnel, providing an all year round food growing and tuition space, new raised planter beds and a mini orchard with fruit trees and bushes. We have successfully delivered food growing and gardening, and arts and crafts clubs and workshops at Surrey Square School since 2018 which has involved young children learning new skills and showcasing their work at Tate Modern. Our funders include: Action Funder, Southwark Council, Tesco Bags of Help, Elkins Construction and Team London Bridge. The organisation registered as a C.I.O in 2020 (previously a social enterprise) and our founder, Christina Nilsen Wheatley, was awarded Volunteer of the Year at Southwark Stars Awards Ceremony in 2019. For further details see: https://ediblerotherhithe.org.uk

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