Veggie Gang promotes healthy eating

AN INNOVATIVE new healthy eating project has been launched in the Craven district of the Yorkshire Dales aimed at encouraging school children to eat more vegetables.

The idea for the initiative came from Yorwork Community Interest Company and the project has been made possible with an award of £2,650 from Skipton Building Society.

"We would like to introduce The Veggie Gang into 30 local primary schools in the Craven area," said Hayley Thompson, a director of Yorwork and a young mum.

"It is a pilot scheme that will focus on the children, teachers and parents completing practical activities with a little help from Colin Carrot, Billy Broccoli, Sally Swede and Caspar Cabbage. We believe that by taking a positive and fun approach to the more serious issues that affect children today, including obesity and inactivity, the project will make a considerable difference to the children's diet and health and complement the work that is already going on in many schools."

Each school has been given a free Veggie Gang Resource Pack and pupils who complete the tasks and participate in the scheme will receive a certificate for their school.

Cara Taylor, sponsorship consultant, Skipton Building Society, said, "We are proud to support the Veggie Gang in its pilot scheme throughout the Craven area. As we are hearing more and more in the media, it is important to give children the correct information to help them make the right food choices when they grow up and this initiative makes healthy food fun."

The project will encourage healthy eating, local food production and practical work both in and outside of the classroom

Charlotte Foster - Yorwork

The pack includes comprehensive Teacher's notes, toys, badges, posters, plant pots and packets of seeds for the children to grow and take home. Pupils will be asked to submit photographs of their activities and the school that is deemed to present an award winning album will be offered the chance to visit Growing with Grace in Clapham to learn more about local organic food production and its benefits.

"The project will encourage healthy eating, local food production and practical work both in and outside of the classroom" said Charlotte Foster, Yorwork co-director. "We know from research that educating children about healthier lifestyle choices at an early age makes it more likely that they will adopt good habits and carry them on into adult life."