A Bradford-based environment group has started a tasty project aimed at encouraging more of the district’s schools to grow their produce.

Staff at Bradford Community Environment Project are celebrating the new initiative, which will see seasonal edible gardening boxes offered to schools.

The boxes will be packed with easy-to-grow plants – with varieties to suit the school term – ready to harvest and eat before schools break up for summer.

Carlton Smith, chief executive of BCEP, said: “Our experience tells us that schools are very interested in growing edibles. Children love gardening, and growing, cooking and eating plants from the school garden is exciting for them and links to many areas of the school curriculum.”

Mr Smith said that staff at BCEP know that many teachers are enthusiastic about involving children in growing edibles in school gardens, but sometimes lack time and confidence.

BCEP said the new initiative aims to “plug the gap” and kickstart more growing projects, as well as supporting existing ones. Each box contains veg, salad and fruit plants, as well as advice sheets on plant care, ideas for gardening sessions, and recipe cards.

Mr Smith added: “The edible garden box scheme aims to support teachers, by not only providing plants which we know work well in school gardens, but also providing back-up in the form of advice sheets and session ideas.

“If this proves successful, we are aiming to expand it to other areas of expertise, for example wildlife and habitat gardening boxes.”

The first boxes will be ready to send out to schools at the beginning of June, and orders need to be given to BCEP by May 13.

Any schools interested in ordering a box, or that just want more information, should contact BCEP on (01274) 223236 or e-mail info@bcep.org.uk. Alternatively, visit the BCEP website at becp.org.uk.