Young Market Traders in Yorkshire to Sell Homegrown Produce This July

This July, young market traders from primary schools in Barnsley, Bradford, Leeds, and Sheffield will take to local markets to sell fresh fruit and vegetables they have grown themselves. This initiative is part of the Young Marketeers programme, organised by the charity School Food Matters. The proceeds from this exciting venture will go to local food-related charities, making it a meaningful experience for both the children and the community.

Market Days Schedule

Several Market Days are planned across Yorkshire, providing a fantastic opportunity for children to showcase their hard work and connect with the community. Here is the schedule:

• Barnsley – Barnsley Market, Tuesday 7 July, 12:00-14:00, supporting FareShare Yorkshire (eight schools) – the inaugural Barnsley Market Day!

• Bradford – Darley Street Market, Thursday 9 July, 11:00-13:00, supporting Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank (six schools)

• Leeds – Kirkgate Market, Friday 10 July, 11:00-13:00, supporting Incredible Edible Leeds (seven schools)

• Sheffield – Moor Market, Wednesday 15 July, 10:30-12:30, supporting Open Kitchen Social Club (four schools)

Learning Through Growing

The children participating in this programme have spent months growing various fruits and vegetables from seeds, with guidance from experienced gardeners. The Young Marketeers programme not only teaches them how to grow food but also instils essential skills in teamwork and entrepreneurship. Through this experience, they gain a deeper understanding of where food comes from and how to appreciate it.

Visitors to the markets can expect to find a colourful array of seasonal produce, including:

• Chard

• Courgettes

• Lettuce

• Microgreens

• Potatoes

• Radishes

• Runner beans

The Importance of Food Education

Food education is an essential life skill, and hands-on experiences such as growing and selling produce can help children develop a genuine connection with food.

Stephanie Slater MBE, the Founder and Chief Executive of School Food Matters, stated:

“For 15 years, our Young Marketeers programme has been giving children the chance to learn new skills, work as a team and take pride in what they’ve grown.”

This initiative celebrates the value of food education and highlights the achievements of young gardeners across the country.

Last year, the Young Marketeers programme reached 120 schools in 14 cities across England. Feedback from children involved in the programme was overwhelmingly positive, with:

• 86% stating they learned a new gardening skill

• 60% saying they gained a better understanding of where food comes from

• 52% discovering something new about healthy eating

As the programme continues to grow, it is set to expand to 16 cities by 2026, ensuring even more children can benefit from this vital education.

Supporting Local Charities

The money raised from the sales on Market Days will be donated to local charities, such as Incredible Edible Leeds, which helps communities run food growing projects. This not only supports local initiatives but also teaches children the importance of giving back to their communities and understanding social responsibility.