Honey bee programme for schools launched
Whole Kids Foundation is an organisation devoted to improving children's nutrition and wellness.
The scheme, a School Food Matters first, has been created following a successful trial in the US, where Whole Foods is based.
Founder and chief executive of School Food Matters, Stephanie Wood, said: “Since partnering with Whole Kids Foundation in 2013, we’ve developed programmes together to introduce children to the wonderful world of food; growing, cooking, tasting, sharing and selling food. Now it’s time to acknowledge that all our tasty fruit and veg starts with pollinators and honey bees are a fascinating window into this world."
This week, six London schools, including Charles Dickens Primary in Southwark and Northolt High in Ealing, will receive a visit from a London beekeeper, complete with live bees.
These sessions will reach 120 children per school and will include topics such as: honey bees and other bees, anatomy, the nest and life cycle; bees, the importance of bees in food production; products from the hive; honey, wax and propolis.
Those schools interested can attend a London Beekeepers’ Association taster session in September, to consider the big step of introducing bees into a school environment.
Schools that fulfil the criteria can apply for funding for equipment to set up a project at school. Grants of up to £1,500 will be available from a funding pot of £9,000.