In essence, the initiative promotes environmental / food education along with good health. As we are already active in these areas it will bring structure to some of the activities that happen in the garden and kitchen, and link them up; so it naturally makes sense for Crown Primary School to get involved Consequently we are in the process of registering the school.
To get us started in practical terms, over the next few weeks parent helpers involved with the garden will encourage teachers, pupils and parent helpers who assist with the kitchen to come on a guided tour of the garden. This will share knowledge of what exists in the raised beds, and what can be used from the garden year round. For example, we are happy to give a clear identification of all the available and abundant herbs.
Over the forthcoming year we will work with pupils, through the citizenship groups, and aim to get a successional system up and running, whereby we regularly sow and plant a range of edibles in the garden with the project in mind.
With regard to harvesting, along with the produce from the garden, at any given time through the blog, we will make an appeal for excess local produce to come into the school, to cook with. For example if we are picking the schools apples, for a recipe, we may ask for surplus apples from the children’s own gardens to be brought in to top up the quantity, and ensure there is enough to go around.
Through the project the children will have first hand experience of growing and cooking with fruit, vegetables and herbs directly from their school garden. When it goes to the kitchen, the produce will reduce food miles, be seasonal and fresh, and bring year round variety for cooking with. In short it closes the garden (both school and wider community) to kitchen loop.
http://www.jamieoliver.com/kitchen-garden-project/kgp.php