EduPlant selects finalists for schools competition

"We are delighted that the competition has received such high quality entries this year, making the selection of the finalists tough, yet very satisfying. We are pleased with the finalists selected and feel that this year's group heralds a new standard for the competition and we are very keen to see what the future has in store for our schools," says Joanne Carty, EduPlant programme manager.

The EduPlant programme, initiated in 1994 and coordinated by Food & Trees for Africa, rewards schools that promote food security within their school and surrounding communities. EduPlant and its supporting partners, Absa, Engen and the Woolworths Trust, recognise the need for food security within South Africa and believe that schools are the best vehicle through which to achieve the goal of food security for all.

Gardens were inspected

More than 300 of 445 school gardens entered were selected for inspection by the team of permaculturalists, and the finalists were selected through these on site assessments.
"Schools are taking action in growing sustainable food for the children and communities surrounding them and that are very encouraging to see," says Busiswa Wawa, an EduPlant programme facilitator.

Each finalist school will receive R1 500 and will also be in line to win the bigger prizes which range from R5 000 up to R25 000. A winner will also be selected for each province with R5 000 in prize money per province.

During the three workshop days, all the finalist schools will make presentations to the judging panel, displaying their produce and persuading the judges why they should be the winners in the category they have entered.