SuperValu and GIY launch 2025 Let’s GROW programme

Pictured: Kate O’Connell, Nagle Rice NS Milltown, award-winning chef Lilly Higgins and Orlaith O’Sullivan, Nagle Rice NS Milltown at the launch of the 2025 SuperValu Let’s Grow Programme at Strawberry Hill N.S., Cork (Photo: Darragh Kane)

By the end of 2025, nearly 170,000 primary school children will have participated in the 'SuperValu Let's GROW' initiative

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SuperValu and not-for-profit social enterprise GIY have announced the launch of their innovative 2025 SuperValu Let’s GROW programme. SuperValu Let’s GROW is a nationwide initiative designed to engage primary schools in food education and sustainable growing practices.

By the end of 2025, nearly 170,000 primary school children will have participated in the ‘SuperValu Let’s GROW’ initiative, learning essential skills and receiving resources to cultivate fresh food for free at school.

This long-term partnership emphasises the importance of homegrown food within classrooms, communities, and households across Ireland.

Let’s GROW campaign

The 2025 campaign was officially launched on 11February by award-winning chef Lilly Higgins, who has created a series of family-friendly recipes for the SuperValu Let’s Grow initiative.

As part of the launch, last year’s winners, Nagle Rice National School from Milltown Kerry, visited students at Strawberry Hill N.S. in Cork City to demonstrate that ‘There’s Always Space to Grow,’ whether your school is located in a rural area or an urban setting.

Lilly Higgins said: “We all know that those who grow their own food tend to eat more locally, organically and seasonally, which is incredibly important. By giving our kids the power to cook with ingredients they’ve grown themselves, we can inspire them to get excited about fruit and veg.

“The SuperValu Let’s Grow campaign is invaluable in providing children, teachers, and families with the tools they need to start growing, making fresh, homegrown food more accessible and engaging for everyone.”

Programme details

Running from March to June 2025, the programme immerses students in the full lifecycle of food:

• GROW (10 March – 4 April): Students plant seeds and cultivate their own vegetables.
• COOK (7 April – 9 May): Students create a recipe featuring vegetables they’ve grown or sourced
• EAT (12 May – 6 June): Students taste a variety of vegetables they’ve grown or sourced and create a food review for each one

Participating primary schools will receive a ‘SuperValu Let’s GROW’ classroom pack, containing everything needed to bring food-growing education to life, including:

• A variety of seeds such as cress, peas, salad leaves, beans, and sunflowers
• 32 compostable pots and magic compost discs
• An expert GIY booklet featuring growing guides, recipes, and fun activities

Primary schools will also have the chance to win prizes, including a new school garden to the value of €1,000 and additional regional rewards such as SuperValu vouchers and GIY goodie bags.

Food empathy

Research by GIY has shown that children who grow their own food develop “food empathy” – a stronger connection to their meals that sparks curiosity, healthier eating habits, and an openness to trying new food.

Ali Honour, head of food, GIY, said: “At a time when the climate crisis and cost of living challenges are converging, ensuring that future generations have the knowledge and confidence to feed themselves is more critical than ever.”

Luke Hanlon, managing director, SuperValu, said: “SuperValu is proud to partner with GIY for the third year of the ‘SuperValu Let’s GROW’ initiative, empowering 170,000 primary students by 2025 to grow their own food and understand the benefits of healthy and sustainably sourced food produce.”

Past success

Mrs Jan Keirns of Nagle Rice National School, who were last year’s winners, said: “The fact that the challenges are transferrable from the classroom to the garden makes it easy for both the teachers and children to get involved. We encourage the children to use the garden salads they grow in their sandwiches or to take vegetables home. Teaching them about where their food comes from helps them to make better healthy food choices.”

Get involved

Schools can now register to take part in this year’s SuperValu Let’s GROW programme by visiting here or contacting their local SuperValu store.

The closing date for entries is 21 February, 2025.

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