Mike Neary, Horticulture Manager, Bord Bia – Irish Food Board

The 2016 Incredible Edibles programme for primary school children was launched this week at the Family Farm in Dublin Zoo by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr. Simon Coveney T.D and Minister for Education and Skills, Ms. Jan O’Sullivan T.D. This initiative which is returning to schools for an eight year teaches primary level students how to grow fruit and vegetables, educates them about food origin and the health benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables.

Children are routinely consuming below the recommended number of portions of fruit and vegetables daily. By choosing a wide range of fruit and vegetables of different colours, children can help to ensure that they meet all of their vitamin requirements, as different coloured fruits and vegetables contain different nutrients. The Incredible Edibles programme will educate students about the importance of a balanced diet for good health and wellbeing.

Over 650 schools across Ireland took part in last year’s programme and registration for this year’s project is now open at www.incredibleedibles.ie. Schools will receive grow packs, including compost, seeds and curriculum-linked interactive educational resources for students to complete with their teachers throughout the academic year. The programme is an initiative of Agri Aware, the independent agri-food educational body and supported by Bord Bia, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Health and Children and the Horticulture Industry

Mike Neary of Bord Bia and Incredible Edibles Committee Chairman commented, "I am delighted that the relevant government departments and the horticulture industry are supporting and collaborating on this important initiative which highlights the significance all the project partners place on its core messages and the contribution it can make to changing school children’s behaviour towards an informed and healthy balanced diet."

For more information, visit incredibleedibles.ie