AckerRacker and GemüseAckerdemie are award-winning educational programmes by the Swiss association Acker Schweiz, catering to children in daycare centers, kindergartens and schools. Teachers and caregivers support kids between three and 15 years old to learn about how plants grow and to tend to their own vegetables all year-round in a school garden. By getting acquainted with more than 30 vegetable crops, children learn the importance of healthy soil and biodiversity, as well as become encouraged to eat (or try) a variety of produce.

Through practice-oriented educational materials and work in the field, the programme strengthens children's awareness of sustainability and an appreciation for food and healthy nutrition. It also brings kids outdoors for a better connection with nature.

This exposure has an influence on their families: between 20-30% of surveyed parents report an increase in the consumption of vegetables, particularly of regional and seasonal produce, and an increase in household conversations about nutrition, nature and value of food. Acker aims for every child in Switzerland to grow vegetables at least once in his or her school life.  With Fourfold’s support, it plans to expand learning sites, particularly in the German-speaking regions serving an additional 10,000 children by 2026.