Incredible Edibles, the healthy eating and horticultural growing initiative, is now in its 13th year and remains as popular as ever, with primary school students nationwide.

“This is the second year that our class has participated in Incredible Edibles.

“As schools were closed from March onwards last year, we didn’t get a chance to grow all the wonderful fruit and vegetables in our school garden. Many of us live in apartments and do not have gardens so we’re really hoping that this year, we will get a chance to get our hands dirty with lots of planting!

“We began our 2021 Incredible Edibles journey last month with task one. Our teacher, Mr Maguire, posted lots of fun lessons for us to do online.

“With all the recent school closures, every girl in the class is used to online work. We’d still prefer to be in school, though.

Isabel George, from Scoil Bhríde Cailíní, Blanchardstown, identifying the Bord Bia quality mark on some chicken drumsticks.

“We learned about processed and unprocessed foods in task one, as well as where the food in our cupboards and fridges comes from. Many of us noticed an Irish flag on certain foods and that set us up perfectly for task two – identifying Irish food.

“Mr Maguire explained to us that the Bord Bia quality mark is placed on all food that has been produced in Ireland, but most importantly, on food that is of the highest standard and quality. We realised then what the sign meant and why the Irish flag was displayed too.

One of the girls in our class very cleverly pointed out that not all of the food in her kitchen had the Bord Bia quality mark on it

“Next, we got our turn. We searched around our kitchens and lots of us found different food with this quality mark on it, such as eggs, potatoes, carrots, chicken, beef, milk and plenty more. We took pictures of ourselves holding the food.

“One of the girls in our class very cleverly pointed out that not all of the food in her kitchen had the Bord Bia quality mark on it. Her mammy is from Africa and really enjoys eating food from her home country. Our teacher then gave us another job, where we had to find food that was not produced in Ireland and to then ask ourselves why it wasn’t.

“One girl found a kiwi and said that it couldn’t grow in Ireland because our weather isn’t warm enough. Another girl then said that Ireland has the perfect climate for growing lovely carrots though – and she is right!

“We all really enjoyed task two and are looking forward to task three already. Hopefully we’ll be in school for that one.”

Look out for next month’s Incredible Edibles diary, where students will share their learning experience on the growing process. Visit www.incredibleedibles.ie for more information.

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