Respond to the Future Schools Conference 2008
In June 2008, pupils from secondary schools across the Carlisle
District were challenged to think about where their food comes
from, and how it was produced, as part of a project called Respond
to the Future.
The schools were given 'food for thought' at an event hosted at
the University of Cumbria Brampton Road campus where they heard
from a local organic farmer and a member of the Carlisle Fairtrade
Group.
The pupils then had a session where they planned projects
that they could do back in school.
A month later the pupils were invited back to the University of
Cumbria to present the projects that they had undertaken.
William Howard School pupils had allocated a plot for growing
their own vegetables with plans to use the vegetables in
the school canteen.
James Rennie School had gone out to local shops and asked where
their produce came from as well as having a feast with vegetables
that they had grown in school.
Pupils participating in the project were presented with
certificates by the Mayor of Carlisle. The Respond to the
Future project was coordinated by Carlisle City Council and the
Carlisle Environment Forum with support from the University of
Cumbria. Nigel Catterson, Chair of Carlisle Environment Forum
said "The project engaged pupils in thinking about the food they
eat and considering what impact it has on the environment, economy
and society."