Everything must grow as children set their stall out at Leeds Kirkgate Market

Pupils from a number of Leeds schools have spent the last few months growing their own fruit and vegetables as part of Young Marketeers, a food education programme run by the School Food Matters charity.

Their hard work has now paid off in spades, with the children getting the chance – thanks to a link-up between the charity and Leeds City Council – to sell their freshly-harvested produce in the famous surroundings of Leeds Kirkgate Market.

Lettuces, potatoes, radishes and gooseberries – all grown with expert support in the grounds of the participating schools – were just some of the items that proved a big hit with customers after the youngsters set up shop in a section of the Market Kitchen street food hall on Friday (July 10).

The Young Marketeers programme has now held five events of this kind at the market since 2022, with its visits forming part of the busy schedule of family and community-focused activity hosted there throughout the year.

And the shift put in by the latest batch of green-fingered growers was today hailed by a senior councillor as a great example of how this historic retail institution continues to connect with Leeds residents of all ages.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, said:

“Young Marketeers is a brilliant initiative and I’m delighted that the council and our hardworking markets team have been able to support it once again this year.

“Selling their own fruit and veg at Leeds Kirkgate Market – with its vibrant atmosphere and remarkable history – will have been a really memorable experience for the children.

“The day was also a reminder that the market isn’t just a great shopping destination, it’s a place that belongs to everyone in Leeds.

“The events that are held there week in, week out through the year help make it a hugely valuable resource for people young and old.

“I’m pleased and proud that our ongoing investment in the market means its future – as a community space as well as a much-loved shopping spot – is looking brighter than ever.”

Supported by the National Lottery Community Fund and Lord Barnby’s Foundation, the Young Marketeers programme is this year operating in 16 cities nationwide.

It aims to help children develop practical gardening and enterprise skills while also nurturing their appreciation for the value of nutritious and sustainable food.

The schools taking part in Friday’s event were Alder Tree Primary Academy, Armley Park Primary School, Brudenell Primary School, Ormston School and St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School.

Guests running the rule over the colourful range of produce, meanwhile, included the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Stephen Holroyd.

Money raised from sales on the day is being donated to Incredible Edible Leeds, a not-for-profit organisation which supports food growing projects in more than 20 parts of the city.

Stephanie Slater MBE, founder and chief executive of School Food Matters, said:

“Our Young Marketeers programme gives children the chance to learn new skills, work as a team and take pride in what they’ve grown.

“Events like the one at Leeds Kirkgate Market are a celebration of the value of food education and a moment for enterprising young gardeners to shine.”

The market hosts around 250 community events – including food festivals and cultural celebrations – each year, with much of the programme being free and family friendly.

Those events – coupled with an influx of new businesses, both food and non-food – have been a key driver of increased footfall during the post-pandemic period.

The council’s determination to keep the market on an upward trajectory has been further underlined by the soon-to-be completed £10m refurbishment of its 19th-century ‘blockshops’ area.

A planning application has also been submitted for STACK Leeds, a ‘container-style’ leisure attraction proposed for part of the market’s outdoor section.

ENDS