As a self-confessed ‘veg nerd’, Vicki Mowat from Riverford Home Delivery in Bath is on a mission to get us all eating more vegetables, with local families now able to raise money for schools across the area.
The new scheme is already taking off, with schools in and around Bath signing up to to introduce families to Riverford’s organic veg, not least because their iconic veg boxes can inspire children to try new things.
Customer Leanne explained: “Our girls love the veg box. They sort through deciding what we’ll eat first and what meals to make. Sometimes much of it is eaten before any cooking occurs!”.
For every new family that signs up to receive veg box home deliveries, Riverford donates £15 to the school’s PTA.
As part of the scheme, Vicki also offers cookery workshops for parents – a 2-hour cookery lesson with supper and a glass of wine – which provide an additional fundraiser for schools.
She can even visit classrooms or run assemblies where children can learn about vegetables and healthy eating in a fun and interactive way.
Vicki said: “Our Veg Fund is a fantastic way for us to get involved with the local community. Part of the scheme involves us visiting schools to talk about where veg comes from and why it’s important to eat a rainbow.
“It’s great to see children getting so excited and inquisitive about vegetables once they learn more about them.”
Riverford has been growing organic veg since 1987, taking careful attention to looking after the soil, wildlife and environment as they go. They grow for flavour and freshness: for the carrotiest carrots and potatoes like your grandad used to grow.
In 2015 their veg boxes were named the Observer Ethical Product of the Decade.
Riverford believes getting children involved in the kitchen from an early age is integral to a life-long love of cooking from scratch. Their boxes are a great way to get children to help out, whether it’s scrubbing the mud from carrots or potatoes, or podding broad beans.
To find out more about The Veg Fund and find out how to sign up your school, visit www.riverford.co.uk/vegfund or contact Vicki at [email protected].
