We looked at why it was important to eat seasonally and locally.
In our Year 6 project, one of the areas that we chose to research was seasonal eating which is eating food at the time it is picked. For instance I used to live in Dubai and visit England in the summer to escape the heat. When I was in England I stayed with my grandparents and they would take us to a place called ‘Pick Your Own’ where we would go out into a huge field, of say strawberries, there we could pick as many as we wanted and could carry. After that we would pay for them and go. There are lots of other places like this around the UK. The good thing about these are that they cost a lot less than getting them in a supermarket as it does not have to be moved about and they do not have to pay people to pick them.
A lot of people ask why they should eat seasonally? That is a very good question, the reasons to eat seasonally are listed down below:
1. Some chefs say that food tastes better when it is in season
2. It is more nutritious as it has not been treated for storage
3. Seasonal food does not have to travel as far as other food, reducing food miles, and in turn pollution
We went about launching a whole school competition, telling the pupils about seasonal eating in an assembly. Everyone was encouraged to submit a hand drawn picture of their favourite UK fruit or vegetable. We chose the best designs from Nursery children right up to Y6. We created a calendar, see image below. We had them printed and sold them for £2.50 to the families at our school. We hoped lots of people would display them in their kichen and use them to eat in a more seasonal and local way. The proceeds went to NOMAD. Initially we were going to use the money for more resources to grow our own at school but we changed our minds when the food bank was so in need during the Corona pandemic and more local people needed to use the food bank.
by Monty Fordham
OUR CALENDAR designed by children at RHS
IN THE PRESS:
AND IN THE HENLEY HERALD:
Here are some seasonal eating menu inspiration:
Summer meals by Leila Cranstoun
1.Tomatoes are a great thing to have with pitta bread and cheese. Tomatoes are nice and juicy they are also very easy to grow at home!
2. this might seem weird but make pancakes or a wrap then on top add a smiley face out of, cucumber, carrots and many more delicious summer vegetables!
3. you could make your own tart with vegetables like mushrooms, leeks, spinage and
peppers.
A great pudding in summers is eaten mess which is very easy to make and very healthy and delicious!
Sometimes it is hot in summer there for you might need a drink, smoothies are the answer! They are so easy and contain delicious fruits or vegetables like grapes, pineapples, plums ,guava and watermelon!
Spring time recipe by Malika Stubbs
Autumn Eating by Annabel Buff
#eatseasonal #eatlocal #reducefoodmiles