The Sticky Fingers food project teaches children about where their food comes from and about eating well.

The project works with three schools in East Brighton and aims to create a greater understanding with primary school children about how growing, cooking and eating fresh, seasonal and local food can lead to a more active lifestyle and better health. This “Plot to Plate” approach is a great educational tool that engages primary school children at all the stages – from sowing seeds in the soil, to caring for the plants, picking and cooking fruit and vegetables and composting of any waste.

The project has two elements:

Cooking Skills: Children gain knowledge of basic cooking skills and socially interact by sitting at a table and eating the meal they’ve prepared. These groups can be run as breakfast, lunch or afterschool clubs or as part of the taught curriculum. Cookery classes focus on preparing food that is high in fruit and vegetables, low in fat / sugar and salt and uses fresh seasonal produce.

Growing Skills: Working with schools to establish and maintain plots where children can take part in growing whilst learning about food, health and the environment. They also get to enjoy eating fresh fruit and vegetables that they have grown themselves. The Project can also work with schools with fruit trees to use the produce to make juice and chutneys for the children to enjoy.

A healthy planet = a healthy body!  Food that is produced in ways that respect the environment isn’t just for the privileged but for everyone. Our modern lives have taken us away from the simple pleasures that food can offer us. The Sticky Fingers project encourages children to make the link between eating well, physical activity, and feeling good about themselves.