Food-bearing forests are being planted in schools across Essex to encourage sustainable eating.
A bountiful forest has been planted by schoolchildren in Clacton to help the local community eat sustainably.
A variety of fruit and vegetables including apples, cherries, rhubarb and strawberries are now growing in the 100 sq metre food forest at St Osyth Church of England Primary School.
The forest will replicate natural ecosystems and see the school share the fresh produce with local residents.
Funding for food forests was granted to the East Anglia Permaculture Association by Essex County Council and the NINEVEH Charitable Trust.
The St Osyth project was led by author and comedian James Campbell. He will now help create more food forests in schools across Essex over the coming weeks, including:
– The Mayflower Primary School, Dovercourt
– Elmstead Primary School, Elmstead
– Millfields Primary School, Wivenhoe
– Prettygate Junior School, Colchester
St Osyth is part of the Essex Climate Focus Area, which covers the River Blackwater and River Colne.
The council aims to see 30% of the Climate Focus Area comprise natural green infrastructure by 2030. This will help the county become net zero and more resilient to climate change.
Sam Kennedy, Director of Environment & Climate Action at Essex County Council, said: “It’s great to see young children in Essex relish the opportunity to help mitigate climate change.
“The Essex Climate Focus Area is an ambitious project and the food forest at St Osyth shows how collaboration will be key for its success.”
James Campbell said: “The funding has meant we’ve been able to buy lots of trees and equipment for these food forests.
“What’s been lovely about St Osyth is all the children getting involved, because it gives them a stake in the whole thing.
“I think children like having practical jobs to do, and I’ve been really impressed by how they’ve learned quickly and taught each other. They’ve even learned new words, like ‘mulch’ and ‘cane’.”
Fil Carvalho, schoolteacher at St Osyth Primary School, said: “We’re hoping this will give children a bit of responsibility for the environment and some understanding of what it takes for crops and food to grow.
“Ultimately, the aim is the children will experience some responsibility for supporting the community and each other with food, especially with the climate being as it is. We’re looking forward to seeing the children grow alongside the trees.”
