Local school children will trade the classroom for a taste of market life this week, as they sell fresh, school-grown fruit and vegetables to the public in support of great causes.
The children will be selling their produce on Friday 11 July 11:00 – 13:00 at the Bullring Outdoor Market.
This is part of a food education programme called Young Marketeers, run by the charity School Food Matters and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund. It gives children the opportunity to grow food from seed with the help of expert gardeners before harvesting and selling their fresh, tasty produce to their local community.
Dozens of enterprising children from eight schools will sell potatoes, kale, beetroot, courgettes, strawberries, blackcurrants, various herbs, and more at their stalls on the day, putting the marketing training they’ve had into practice.
All the money raised on Market Day will be donated to FareShare Midlands and other great community food initiatives and food banks.
Stephanie Slater, Founder and Chief Executive at School Food Matters, said:
“We want every child to understand that food begins in the soil, not on a supermarket shelf. There’s no better way to bring that to life than by giving children the chance to grow their own fruit and vegetables at school. For the last 14 years, the Young Marketeers programme has been educating children about food production, sparking entrepreneurial spirit, nurturing healthy eating habits, and building awareness around food waste. We can’t wait for this year’s Market Day to see the children proudly showcase the fruits of their labour.”
School Food Matters delivers fully funded food education programmes in schools across the country and campaigns for improvements to the school food system, helping children develop an informed and positive relationship with food.
In a 2024 survey of children taking part in Young Marketeers, 63% said the programme taught them a new gardening skill, 52% discovered something new about where food comes from, and 61% gained new knowledge about healthy eating.
Notes to editors
Please feel free to use the attached photos from previous Market Days (credit School Food Matters).
You are invited to attend the Young Marketeers Market Day on Friday 11 July 11:00 – 13:00 at the Bullring Outdoor Market to take photos and interview the children and project lead. We will also send a post-event press release.
Please confirm attendance by contacting:
Awil Mohamoud, Senior Press and Comms Officer at School Food Matters:
E: press@schoolfoodmatters.org
M: 07447494385
T: 020 8878 8333
About School Food Matters
Website: schoolfoodmatters.org
Join our Latest News mailing list here
Social media: LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook
At School Food Matters we believe that school food can unlock a happier, healthier, more sustainable future for every child. We want a school food system that delivers for all children, so they can enjoy nutritious, delicious and sustainable school food and leave school with an informed and positive relationship with food.
To achieve this, we campaign for a better school food system, bringing the voices of children, parents, and teachers to government policy, and deliver fully funded food education programmes in schools across the country.
