GIY calls for help to expand 'Grow at school' to help push back against ultra-processed foods

Grow It Yourself wants the Government to pledge €3m to expand the education programme to help improve food literacy for health and wellbeing

'We are raising a generation of children who can recognise a fast-food logo before they can identify how a carrot grows,' says GIY founder Mick Kelly. 

The government has been called to expand practical food education in schools amid a growing decline in food literacy for children’s health.

Grow It Yourself (GIY) has called for education at the primary school level amid growing concerns about the impacts of ultra-processed foods, poor diets, and declining food literacy on children’s health and wellbeing. 

The organisation says Irish children are becoming increasingly disconnected from where food comes from, how it is grown and what healthy, whole food actually looks like, at the very moment ultra-processed foods (UPFs) now account for an estimated 46% of the Irish diet. Children can now more quickly recognise fast food logos before they know where a carrot comes from.

'Grow at School’ programme

GIY has revealed that more than 200 primary schools are currently waiting to access its ‘Grow at School’ programme, which uses food growing and hands-on learning to help children reconnect with real food, nature and healthy eating habits.

The programme is currently active in approximately 650 schools nationwide, but GIY says demand is now far outstripping available funding and capacity.

GIY is calling for the government to commit €3m to span over four years to expand the programme to 75% of Irish primary schools, the equivalent cost of approximately €7 per child.

GIY says the investment would represent a tiny fraction of the Department of Social Protection’s annual spend on school meals, while helping children develop the knowledge, confidence and habits needed to make healthier food choices throughout their lives.

Rising concerns among health experts and educators about the impact of ultra-processed diets on children’s physical health, mental wellbeing and long-term relationship with food, alongside rising levels of anxiety, disconnection from nature and poor wellbeing among young people.

GIY founder and broadcaster Mick Kelly said Ireland is investing heavily in feeding children through school meals, but not enough in helping them understand food itself.

We are raising a generation of children who can recognise a fast-food logo before they can identify how a carrot grows. 

"Children today are surrounded by ultra-processed foods and disconnected from where food comes from, how it is grown and how it affects their health and wellbeing.

Continuing, Mr Kelly said: “If we are serious about improving children’s long-term health, resilience and relationship with food, then food education has to become a core part of school life — not an optional extra.” 

GIY founder and broadcaster Mick Kelly working with students as part of the GIY Grow at School programme.

The ‘Grow at School’ programme combines practical growing with curriculum-linked learning around food, biodiversity, climate, nutrition and wellbeing. Schools participating in the programme create food gardens where children grow their own fresh food while learning about seasonal eating and healthy diets.

GIY says evidence consistently shows that children who grow food are more likely to eat fruit and vegetables, try new foods and develop healthier eating habits. The organisation argues that food growing also delivers broader wellbeing benefits for children, particularly in communities experiencing disadvantage.

School showcases benefits of growing food

One example is Knockmore Senior School in Killinarden in Dublin, where children participate in growing experiences as part of the school’s wellbeing and food education work.

Deputy principal Sarah Curran, said: “The students in our school gardening club have benefitted in so many ways from hands-on, interactive approaches to learning. 

Being in the outdoors, interacting with nature and getting their hands dirty has helped students learn how to regulate themselves.

"It has a calming impact for some students who struggle to focus. It has taught our students core life skills such as teamwork, responsibility and how to nurture.” 

GIY’s head of education, Mary Bishop, said: “At a time when the government is rightly investing hundreds of millions in school meals, this is the missing piece of the puzzle. We also need to teach children about food — where it comes from, how to grow it, how to cook it and why it matters.” 

GIY says the proposed €3m would allow the programme to scale rapidly using a national network of trained facilitators, enabling schools across Ireland to access growing resources, workshops and curriculum-linked supports.

The organisation is now urging the Government to include dedicated funding for school food education and growing programmes in Budget 2027.