Grow It, Cook It, Eat It

A popular food initiative takes place in Pembrokeshire this month aimed at taking youngsters through the farm-to-fork process of food.

The week-long Grow It, Cook It, Eat It event teaches school children the importance of healthy eating - along with knowledge of local produce.

Over 1,200 nine to 11 year olds from 37 primary schools are due to take part in the event which will be held from Monday September 14th to Friday September, 18th at Scolton Manor.

Through a series of fun and interactive workshops children will be taught everything about food from growing vegetables to cooking easy recipes.

There will also be talks on looking after the countryside and food rationing in World War II.

This is the seventh year of the Grow It, Cook It, Eat It event and more than 5,000 pupils- a generation of school children- have taken part since it was launched.

The main sponsors are the Welsh Assembly Government, the Murco Refinery at Milford Haven and Barclays Bank.

Kate Morgan, organiser and Food Officer for Pembrokeshire County Council said good eating habits started while young.

"Grow It Cook It Eat It inspires children to try healthy food, which is vital if they are to develop good nutritional habits later in life," she said.

"It also teaches them about the farm-to-fork process of our food, while increasing their awareness of the importance of supporting local produce and sustainable processes."

Councillor Sian James, Pembrokeshire Cabinet Member for Health and Well-Being said the event complimented several successful healthy eating initiatives led by the County Council such as Cook It clubs and the Lunch with Lenny (the healthy school meals mascot) initiative.

"With the current focus on the nutritional well-being of children, events such as these are essential in providing information about a healthy balanced diet and sustainability," she said.

Grow it Cook it Eat is organised by Pembrokeshire County Council with support from the Food Standards Agency, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the National Public Health Service, the Women's Institute and the Food Centre Wales.