Grow your own grub 2026

Now in it’s 9th 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.

Mealbarrow Extravaganza

Held at the Abbey Pumping Station, Corporation Road, LE4 5PX, the mealbarrow extravaganza is a free event open to families across Leicester. Members of the public are invited to vote for their favourite wheelbarrows, as created by local schools, which are being displayed at Abbey Pumping Station. On the day there is free acess to the museum alongside a Railway Day, Guided Walk and activities from the Children's BookBus all taking place. For more information, please see the flyer on this webpage. 

Grow Your Own Grub 2026

This year, we are asking all schools to base their mealbarrows around the theme of 'rainbows'! Let your imaginations run wild with how you wish to link the theme to your menu and food growing. Could it be Richard of York (Richard III) or the local Rainbows Hospice, could you grow a variety of coloured foods, or think of a completely different link?

We are also running an in person information and hands on growing training session at Beaumont Leys Library 3:30-4:45pm on Thursday 19th March 2026. There will be refreshments and free seeds to take back to school.

Sign up today!

To sign up to Grow Your Own Grub and confirm your attendance at the training, please complete this online form by Monday 3 March.

If you have any queries, please email victoria.brown@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 2025

Overall winners:

1st place - Stokes Wood Primary School

2nd place - Inglehurst Junior School

3rd place - Millgate School

Growing report:

Full marks - Inglehurst Junior Schools and Stokes Wood Primary School

Runner up - Fullhurst Community College

Menu design:

Stokes Wood Primary School, Willowbrook Mead Primary, Millgate School and Inglehurst Junior School all achieved full marks!

Mealbarrow Public Vote

1st place - Riverside Primary Academy

2nd place - Stokes Wood Primary School

3rd place - Redmoor Academy