More and more schools and childcare centres are taking steps to make their playgrounds and outdoor spaces greener and healthier. This is being achieved in various ways: through vegetable garden beds, a greenhouse, a food forest, edible plants on school grounds, or partnerships with neighbourhood vegetable gardens.
According to a 2018 study into the effects of gardening on children, it was found that gardening led to a significant increase in knowledge of ten different crops. In addition, after gardening, children were better able to indicate how much they liked certain vegetables. Their preference for vegetables was greater both immediately after the gardening season and a year later. A preference for vegetables is an important indicator not only of a willingness to try them, but also of long-term daily vegetable intake.
It is important for children to eat more vegetables, as the number of overweight children is rising worldwide. Physical work in a garden, as well as eating the vegetables grown there, can help children lead healthier lives.
Jong Leren Eten Gelderland (JLE) offers schools and childcare centres in Gelderland a number of free advisory programmes to help them make their school playgrounds greener or set up school vegetable gardens. Schools and childcare centres receive a concise, free on-site advisory programme (up to 8 hours), enabling them to take a step towards a greener school playground or outdoor space. Further information can be found at ‘The Green Hands Gelderland’
How do you start a vegetable garden? How should it be looked after? What can you do with the vegetables from the garden? Who looks after the vegetable garden during the school holidays? A vegetable garden coach will answer these questions. Take a look at jonglereneten.nl for a vegetable garden coach. To hire a vegetable garden coach, the 'Let's Get Out and About' feature are deployed.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – the JOGG team is here to answer any questions you may have!
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