Schoolchildren sell own-grown produce at market

Schoolchildren in Sheffield have sold fruit and vegetables at the city's Moor Market that they grew themselves.

Groups from four schools participated in the Young Marketeers programme, run by charity School Food Matters.

The money raised at the stalls was donated to food poverty charities Open Kitchen Social Club and Sheffield Food Chain.

Stephanie Slater, founder and chief executive of School Food Matters, said: "We want every child to understand that food begins in the soil, not on a supermarket shelf."

She added the programme was about "educating children about food production, sparking entrepreneurial spirit, nurturing healthy eating habits, and building awareness around food waste".

Pupil Daniel said he felt "elated" by their success after they sold out within an hour of opening.

"We put in so much hard work, so we're happy that we have lots of good customers who have come to buy our produce."

A pupil at Emmaus Catholic and Church of England Primary School said she was also "very proud" of the proceeds being used to help others, as well as the size of their vegetables.

Lowfield Primary School teacher Emily Hurley said it was nice for their pupils "to see a project through from start to finish".

"It's not been easy, we have had a few crops that've been eaten or withered - they have had to stick with it."

She added understanding the work that went into growing food had helped them to appreciate why it was important not to waste it.

Open Kitchen project leader Firas Jabar said it was great to see the smiles on the children's faces.

"When the kids decided to give the money to us, it was something huge, it made me feel really proud - it means they get what we do," he added.

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