With the strong emphasis on the growing and eating of fruit and vegetables, many schools need our help and advice.  The government have encouraged the eating of fruit during break times and it is causing a problem with compost bins in schools.  Many teachers do not understand about the acidity of citrus fruit skins and we are finding very slimy and fly infested bins around the county.  This is one of the many reasons why we are needed to help, as teachers need not be experienced gardeners and advice on which vegetables to grow that might be harvested before the summer holidays is always a question.

There is an organisation called Rocket Gardens in Cornwall who are specialising in organic vegetable and herb plants for schools.  They are sending out boxes with many varieties, all in pots ready to go. This must be such a help to many busy schools and we hope it is something that you might like to look into.  Try www.rocketgardens.co.uk and see their selections and ideas.  Cooking is making a comeback, so perhaps we should try to give some receipts using vegetables or fruits.  Soups, salads and pasta sauces or juices, puddings and sorbets are all possible if the cook will allow it.  In Wiltshire we had great fun with Christmas pudding, asking children to source the ingredients from around the world, write about how they are grown and harvested, then cook and eat them. We are not sure how many took part but we have had some amusing feedback.  Hope this gives you some new ideas. 

Juliet