Home-grown approach to making kids eat greens

Published on Thursday 20 May 2010 21:43

MANY children would rather eat home-grown fruit and vegetables than those bought from a supermarket – and almost three-quarters want space to grow their own, a poll has found.

And encouraging youngsters to be green-fingered could be the secret to changing their eating habits, a survey suggests, as many are still using time-honoured methods to dodge having to eat their greens.

According to a poll of 1,000 children for the National Trust, 42 per cent of eight to 12-year-olds hide veg under other food on their plates, and 30 per cent throw them in the bin when no one is looking. But nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) would like to have their own space to grow fruit and vegetables.

This year, the National Trust will be giving away another 170 million seeds,

which could be grown in big gardens or small containers such as Wellington boots, or in window boxes for those without outdoor space.

Jenny Sansom, National Trust local food co-ordinator, said: "Growing your own may be the secret to encouraging children to eat their greens, and not a naughty step in sight. Our research shows that, if given the space, the vast majority of children would love the chance to plant and nurture food they have grown from scratch."