At FLI Global, we are proud to continue supporting GIY (Grow It Yourself) and their mission to transform how young people learn about food, sustainability, and the environment.

This year marks an exciting milestone, as GIY’s GROW at School programme has expanded into 50 Post Primary Schools across Ireland, ensuring that food-growing education now spans the full journey from primary to secondary.

Through hands-on growing, tasting, and sharing of food, students are building not only a deeper connection to nature and healthy eating, but also key skills such as creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Curriculum and Learning Innovation

This year’s expansion aligns with the Department of Education and Youth’s recent enhancements to the Primary Curriculum Framework, which place a stronger emphasis on integrated learning, innovation, playful inquiry, and outdoor exploration. GIY is actively working to align programme resources with these priorities, including:

• Creating growth stage visual reference guides for all vegetable varieties in the grow kits.

• Auditing GROW at School learning assets for coherence with the new framework.

• Continuing to deliver engaging teacher CPD training and monthly webinars, ensuring educators are supported as they embed food-growing into their classrooms.

Post Primary Programme Rollout

With the launch into post-primary schools, GROW at School is now reaching teenagers across Ireland. The programme has been designed for transdisciplinary learning, supporting subjects such as:

• Science

• Home Economics

• Business Studies

• Agricultural Science

• The new Climate Action and Sustainable Development curriculum

By connecting classroom learning to the practical experience of growing food, students are empowered to think critically about sustainability, health, and their role in shaping the future.

Advocacy in Action

GIY continues to advocate for government-backed access to food-growing education for every primary school in Ireland. This quarter, local leaders witnessed the programme’s impact firsthand:

• In Kerry, Minister Michael Healy-Rae joined students at Nagle Rice National School for harvesting, tasting, and seed sowing.

• In Galway, Minister Noel Grealish visited the rooftop garden at Mercy Primary, harvesting carrots, tasting apples, and preserving broad beans with the students.

These visits showcased how food-growing education thrives in both rural and urban schools, reinforcing its role as a vital pillar of sustainable development.

At FLI Global, we believe in backing initiatives that make a real difference. Supporting GIY means investing in healthier children, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.