Newport Show challenges schoolchildren to ‘grow their own’

One of Shropshire’s leading one-day shows has launched a new initiative to get more children involved in growing their own food.

Newport Show has challenged green-fingered pupils from 10 local schools to plant and grow four different varieties of flowers and vegetables in the weeks leading up to the event on July 9.

As part of the Kids Can Grow scheme, show organisers have given the schools chive, baby leaf spinach, and red lettuce seeds along with nasturtiums, which are edible, and the necessary equipment, detailed instructions and a growing calendar.

They will be invited to display the results in the schools marquee at the show in Chetwynd Deer Park.

The schools that have been invited to take part are Newport Infants, Church Aston, Moorfield, SS Peter & Paul, St Peter’s Edgmond, Newport Junior, Muxton, Tibberton, Lilleshall and Castle House.

Martin Hall, the President of Newport Show said: “As an event with a strong agricultural heritage, food production and local produce has always played an important part in our programme. The Kids Can Grow initiative aims to encourage greater understanding of food production among children in a fun and informative way.

“There is also a growing trend towards healthier eating and better understanding about good food and where it comes from. Growing plants, and hence food from seed, with Kids Can Grow is a very simple way of engaging children and teaching them important lessons about the source and value of good healthy food.

“It’s not a competition but we are really looking forward to seeing the displays they produce in the schools marquee on the day of the show,” added Martin.

Newport Show has an enhanced focus on all things edible this year with a new dedicated Festival of Food including demonstrations by winner of the Great British Bake Off Nadiya Hussain, a Street Food market, an adult cooking masterclass and Little Foodies marquee.

There will also be livestock and equine competitions, a craft fair, dog show, focus on horticulture, and trade stalls.