Fundraising for schools is an ever-growing challenge and if you’re involved in your PTA, you’re probably constantly on the lookout for new ideas to bring in some extra cash.
There’s a new, fresh and healthy fundraising idea on the block from Riverford Organic Farmers – the organic veg box people. Their new Veg Fund scheme allows families to raise money for their school while introducing children to healthy eating and teaching them where their food comes from.
Schools across Bath and Wiltshire are signing up to the scheme to introduce families to Riverford’s organic veg – for every new family that signs up to receive veg box home deliveries, Riverford give £15 to the school’s PTA to spend on what they like. Families eat healthily and schools raise money, so it’s good for everyone.
As part of the scheme, Riverford also offers school visits where children and grown ups can learn about vegetables and healthy eating in a fun and interactive way.
Vicki Mowat, who runs Riverford in Bath, explained, “Our new Veg Fund is a fantastic way for us to get involved with the local community. It’s great to see children getting so excited about vegetables, and we love coming in to do evening veg cookery workshops with parents too.”
Bathwick St Mary Primary in Bath, recently joined the scheme, and Vicki hosted a cookery workshop for parents and carers at the school. Lucy Spedo Mirandola, who leads Bathwick’s healthy eating initiatives, explained, “The tickets were just £10 a head and all proceeds went to the PTA. We began by getting straight into our stripy aprons and learning knife skills – with very large knives! We prepared romanesco sauce with raw pad thai, kohl rabi, chickpea and coconut curry, all from scratch in the school hall. We finished by enjoying a two-course meal with a glass of wine.
“It was a relaxed, congenial evening and a great opportunity to learn more about a variety of vegetables, both the everyday and the more unusual. It was also a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with parents in different year groups, see the school used in a different way, eat some delicious food and, most importantly, raise vital funds for the PTA.”
Jo, one of the parents who took part in the workshop, added, “Thank you very much for the lovely veg evening. I found it very inspiring and informative. The dishes were so tasty and the evening so well planned out – it was great to help prepare the food and then all sit down and enjoy it with the lovely glass of wine.”
Riverford’s seasonal, organic veg boxes are delivered right to your door, with no delivery charges, so they’re a really easy way to get your family eating well. Boxes start at just £10.95 and they’re cheaper than buying the same veg at the supermarket. There’s no minimum commitment, and you can order weekly, fortnightly or just on an adhoc basis. Veg boxes are a fantastic way to connect your children to where their food comes from, and to get them trying new things – you can unpack the box with them each week and plan what to cook together! The veg changes with the seasons and there are recipe suggestions in the box every week.
If you would like further information about how to get your school involved or about the veg box home delivery service please get in touch with Vicki at email hidden; JavaScript is required or call on 01225 437438. You can also find more information about the Veg Fund or sign your school up at www.riverford.co.uk/vegfund