Local school pupils respond to the future

(Date of issue: Monday, 7 July 2008)

Eleven Carlisle schoolchildren who were challenged to educate their schools about healthy eating will get some ‘fruits for their labour’ this Friday (11 July).

Certificates will be presented to pupils from three local secondary schools that have taken steps to make their schools more aware of how food is produced and the importance of healthy eating.

Pupils from James Rennie, Morton and William Howard School were challenged to think about healthy eating and how food is produced at an event held last month (Friday, 13 June). Organised as part of Carlisle Learning City initiative, the ‘Respond to the Future’ project was co-ordinated with the help of Carlisle City Council, the University of Cumbria and Nigel Catterson, Chair of Carlisle Environment Forum.

Guest speakers at the event included a local organic farmer and a member of the Carlisle Fairtrade group. Nigel Catterson, Chair of Carlisle Environment Forum, said:

"The Respond to the Future project was a great opportunity for young people to think about the food they eat, especially in school, and also consider what impact food has on social, environmental and economic issues. The pupils came up with loads of ideas for projects they could do in school ranging from food tasting sessions to quizzing grandparents about top tips for growing food."

The work undertaken by the pupils will be presented to The Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Jacquelyne Geddes, this Friday (11 July) at 11.30am at the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill campus.

The project is built on the success of the 2006 Respond to the Future project when six local secondary school pupils took up eco-challenges ranging from carrying out environmental audits to campaigning for the use of more recycled products in their schools.