Grow your own grub 2025

Now in it’s 8th year, the Mealbarrow competition is a great way to encourage food growing in the school community.

Further information

The grow your own grub competition is an annual competition designed to encourage schools to have a go at growing different food items. Schools are challenged to grow at least 5 food items in a wheelbarrow. These foods are then used to inspire a 3 course menu. Mealbarrows are brought together at a showcase event towards the end of the competition where members of the public are invited to vote for their favourites. These votes will be combined with menu judging and final growing reports to find an overall winner.

Grow Your Own Grub 2025

This year, we are asking all schools to choose a country and base your menu and food growing on that country. You could even decorate your mealbarrow around the theme!

We are also running an in person information and hands on growing training session at Hamilton Library 4-4:45pm Tuesday 4 March. There will be refreshments and free seeds to take back to school.

To sign up to Grow Your Own Grub and confirm your attendance at the training, please fill in this eform by Monday 3 March.

If you have any queries, please email GrowYourOwnGrub@leicester.gov.uk

Why Participate?

• Combining creative culinary skills and gardening, your school is challenged to design a three course menu and grow a minimum of 5 ingredients in your Mealbarrow.
• Mealbarrows will be showcased at a public event. This is a great way to involve the whole school community!
• Raise awareness of healthy eating and cooking in your school. Use as part of your Food for Life and Eco-Schools Awards
• Free food growing training for school staff to take part in.

School Commitments 

• Create a ‘mealbarrow’ where at least 5 food items will be grown
• Source a wheelbarrow for the growing – either reuse one from last year or upcycle an old one (ask around in school or get in touch if you are struggling)
• Provide compost, seeds and/or plug plants to grow (some seeds provided after the training)
• Attend a free food growing training
• Design and submit a healthy 3 course menu
• Advertise the competition and the celebration day to parents & families via school newsletters and the school’s social media channels

Grow Your Own Grub Winners 2024

Overall winners:

1st place - Stokes Wood Primary School

2nd place - Nurturing Roots Group

3rd place - Sir Jonathan North

Growing report:

1st place - Sir Jonathan North

2nd place - Inglehurst Junior Schools and Stokes Wood Primary School

3rd place - Fullhurst Community College, Inglehurst Infant School, and Spinney Hill Primary School

Menu design:

Sir Jonathan North and Stokes Wood Primary School both achieved full marks!

Mealbarrow Public Vote

1st place - Nurturing Roots Group

2nd place - Stokes Wood Primary School

3rd place - Millgate School and Spinney Hill Primary School