School pupils celebrate World Food Day at Derry's Acorn Farm

The pupils from Knockavoe Primary School marked World Food Day this week with a visit to Derry’s Acorn Farm, where they met with Deputy Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Niree McMorris, and helped plant and harvest some seasonal vegetables to supply local social supermarkets.

The young people enjoyed getting their hands dirty as they picked pumpkins and planted garlic bulbs which will help top up supplies at the social supermarkets which support people across the Derry and Strabane council area, funded by the Department for Communities.

This year’s World Food Day theme is ‘Hand in hand for better foods and a better future’ and during their visit the students learned more about how local sustainable food sources can really benefit the whole community. Social supermarkets, including the Strabane Community Projects Grassroots Supermarket and Foyle Network Foundation, offer access to affordable, healthy food for local people experiencing difficulty and hardship, providing wraparound support in a dignified manner for those most in need.

The Acorn Farm is a unique urban growing space which has completely transformed an area of St Columb’s Park and opened it up to the local community. Funded through the UK Government and Derry City and Strabane District Council, the hub facilitates learning and research into sustainable food production offering space for schools and community groups to learn more about the natural environment.

Students have the chance to take a hands-on approach to horticulture and discover more about the food journey from seed to plate. Some of the produce is then donated to local social supermarkets supporting them in providing locally grown nutritious food.

Alderman McMorris took time to thank the pupils for taking the time to assist in harvesting the produce, and was impressed by their dedication to protecting the local environment.

Speaking on behalf of the local social supermarkets, Ursula Doherty from Strabane Community Project, said: “We are delighted to see the students from Knockavoe doing their bit for sustainable food production and supporting the drive to provide affordable quality produce which is accessible to everyone.

“We very much rely on the local community and the Acorn Farm is a wonderful source of nutritious food for our customers, as well as providing a fun and informative experience for anyone who wants to learn more about the benefits of growing their own food.”

Shauna Kelpie from the Community Foundation NI, said: “We are delighted to see the Acorn Farm already beginning to make a difference in the lives of local people. We are passionate about food production and making fresh produce available to everyone. On World Food Day it’s fantastic to see our local schools engaging and learning more about how easy it is to grow your own food and the benefits of living in a Sustainable Food Place.”

You can find out more about the Acorn Farm at www.acornfarmni.com For information on local social supermarkets and how to access support go to www.derrystrabane.com/community/helpwithcostofliving/help-with-cost-of-living-webinar-series/social-supermarket-support

PICTURED ABOVE: Pupils from Knockavoe School in Strabane paid a visit to Acorn Farm at St. Columb’s Park where they took part in a pumpkin hunt and learned how to plant garlic with lead horticulturalist Johnny Mitchell. The garlic will be distributed to some of the local social supermarkets in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area. During the visit the pupils met with the Deputy Mayor, Alderman Niree McMorris as they presented produce from the raised beds to Ellen Harper Foyle Network foundation , Sharon Wallace and Carol Hendly from of Strabane Community Project which is part of grassroots social supermarket. Included are: Ciara Burke, DCSDC Community Project Development Programme Manager, Shauna Kelpie, Community Foundation and Allan Bogle, Acorn Farm, Sustainable Food Co-ordinator, DCSDC. PHOTO: Martin McKeown.