Minister for State at the Department of Education Josepha Madigan was on hand at Airfield Estate in Dundrum recently to launch Incredible Edibles 2022. The Minister with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion was able to sample some homemade soup on the morning, a simple recipe from the Incredible Edibles harvest.
Josepha Madigan TD commented, “I am delighted to join with Agri Aware today at Airfield Estate in Dundrum to launch the Incredible Edibles healthy eating programme for Primary Schools. “It is crucial that we create national awareness about the importance of healthy eating, especially for young people. Nothing trumps the quality of fresh Irish food. Our standards are second to none. “The Incredible Edibles programme empowers students by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to ensure a healthy diet. It is also fitting that this launch is taking place in the beautiful Airfield Estate which prides itself on sustainability and high-quality food in the heart of Dundrum.”
The Agri Aware Incredible Edibles programme is a free, healthy eating and growing project that has been running in Irish primary schools since 2008. In that time over 500,000 schoolchildren have taken part in the programme. The initiative has grown to cover 1800 schools nationwide with places available on a first come, first served basis. Participating schools receive free grow packs that contain everything teachers and students need to grow their own fruit and vegetables at school. The project reconnects children with where their food comes from. Incredible Edibles is a hands-on project where the pupils get to grow, cook, and eat the produce themselves.
Schools can sign up to Incredible Edibles now. Alan Jagoe, Chairman of Agri Aware said: “It was great to be at Airfield Estate to launch our flagship primary schools programme, Incredible Edibles. It is fitting that this venue in the heart of Dublin can be an exemplar for biodiversity and regenerative horticulture. “We hope the children who take part in Incredible Edibles will develop a love of locally sourced, quality home grown food. They will also gain an awareness of the importance, the time and effort, and the sense of reward for such endeavours too. “This project has grown massively over the last 14 years, that is with great thanks to our 14 sponsors who make that expansion possible.”
Pictured above: Minister Josepha Madigan with the help of (L to R) Monica Tang, Tena Cacic & Vihaan Taneja of Queen of Angels School.
Pic: Lorraine O’Sullivan.
