The Edible Schoolyard Southampton

The Edible Schoolyard is dedicated to connecting young people with food, nature and each other. Through hands-on educational experiences, participants journey from ‘farm to fork’, developing new skills and behaviours that transform our relationship to what’s on our plate. Fun weekly sessions include composting, growing, harvesting, crafting, processing, cooking, talking and eating together. Each programme will culminate in children hosting their own supper club for their families – transforming the farm into a pop-up restaurant for the evening! By framing Aldermoor Community Farm as an outdoor classroom and involving young people in real farm activities, we are making the most of a wonderfully rich educational environment while inviting children to support the production of locally grown, fresh, organic produce.

Our Edible Schoolyard curriculum is rooted in principles of permaculture – a design philosophy that works with, rather than separate from, nature. No two programmes will be the same, changing with the season and shaped around the needs of each group. Using a child-led approach, participants will be encouraged to direct their own learning, sharing their talents and stories while letting their interests guide them. The rewards of working outdoors in this way include increased confidence, empathy, self-awareness, independence, and improved physical fitness, risk management, mental health and social skills – as well as a deeper enthusiasm for community and food!

The Edible Schoolyard is directed by Louiza Hamidi - a plant-based chef, qualified Forest School Practitioner and part-time grower here at the farm. Louiza has a long-standing passion for using food as a tool to engage and educate. Her background is a mixture of working outdoors with children, creative arts projects, environmental activism and vegan/vegetarian catering. Through the Edible Schoolyard, she hopes to bring a youthful energy to the farm and forge new collaborations with local schools and other projects in the city.

Aldermoor Community Farm is now officially part of a global movement of ‘Edible Education’ - an inspiring network of over 6000 committed schools, gardens and farms around the world!