Pupils from across Croydon sold fruit, veg, jams and herbs produced in their own schools to shoppers at an annual one-day marketplace last week.

Many of the eight participating schools managed to sell more than £100 worth of goods inside Croydon Clocktower, which they will reinvest in their on-site cultivation projects.

The 33 pupils had spent much of the year growing the produce in preparation for the event through their involvement in the Council's Food Flagship programme, which aims to tackle obesity in young people by giving children an understanding of their food's origins and health benefits.

Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning: "Congratulations to all the schools that took part in this year’s marketplace.

"Our children are the future and ensuring that we give them the healthiest start in life must be at the forefront of all we do.

"I am proud of the way Croydon's young people and schools are helping to lead this agenda.

"The healthy schools marketplace day is a highlight in my annual calendar. Participation is continuing to grow and very soon we are going to need to expand into a larger space, which is testament to its success. I am already looking forward to next year's event.”

The marketplace also provides an opportunity for the pupils to increase their confidence through interaction and develop entrepreneurial skills.

Shoppers also took home a variety of plants that the children had potted including tomatoes, corn on the cob and strawberries, and parents benefitted from buying the remaining limited stock at the schools on the following day.

The young stall holders at the schools' marketplace were from:
• Bensham Manor School
• Beulah Junior School
• Broadmead Primary
• Forestdale Primary
• Good Shepherd Primary
• Shirley High
• Smitham Primary
• St Marys Catholic Primary Trust