Appeal by Spitalfields city farm for cash to help feed children hot meals over Christmas

Education cutbacks are causing youngsters to miss learning about nature and healthy eating, according to one of East London’s oldest urban farms.

Youngsters learn about healthy eating and how food is produced. Picture: Spitalfields City Farm - Credit: Spitalfields City Farm

Now Spitalfields City Farm is launching a Christmas match-funding appeal to run more free workshops and outdoor activities to tackle urban poverty and improve the environment for youngsters.

“Education is the key to helping break the cycle of poverty,” the farm’s education coordinator Emma Pestridge said. “We are making impacts to improve lifestyle and diet in providing a green open space.

“But we need to offer more activities to make the most of this rare, green oasis.”

Many schools are not able to use the resources and expertise at the farm in Allen Gardens, off Brick Lane, largely “down to the economic climate and the restraints on budgets”.

So the campaign aims to widen access to fresh and affordable vegetables, especially during the school holidays, to “ensure no child goes without a hot healthy meal”.

Funds raised will mean the farm can increase its activities offered to schools to tackle nature deficiency.

Donations to the ‘Big Give’ Christmas appeal made to Spitalfields City Farm from 12pm next Tuesday, November 27, to 12pm on December 4 will be doubled.