What are your 3 of your favourite things to eat? How many contain sugar?

Sugar cane Sugar beet

Sugar cane Similar to bamboo, with a very tough outer coating which protects the sweet, woody interior. Sugar syrup is taken from the sugar cane when it is crushed in a sugar mill. Grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Sugar beet Sugar beet is grown in temperate countries, like the UK. Most of the UK’s sugar beet is grown in Norfolk. Sugar beet was not discovered as a source of sugar until 1747.

Sugar’s dark past In Britain honey was originally the ingredient used to sweeten food, as sugar cane could not grow in Britain. Sugar was not available until trading and transport had developed. It is reported that the household of Henry III was using sugar in 1264, but not until 1319 was sugar in more general use in Britain. As the love of sugar grew and it became more affordable, a larger workforce was needed which led to the beginning of the slave trade in the mid-1600s.

The Trade Triangle Slaves were taken from Africa to work on sugar cane plantations in the America’s, sugar that was produced was then taken to Europe and the profits along with other goods were taken to Africa to purchase more slaves.

Refined sugar found in foods like white bread, cakes, sweets, processed food and fizzy drinks, are quickly absorbed and are loaded with calories. These sugars can cause tooth decay and health problems. It causes harmful fat to build up on our insides. This fat around vital organs can cause serious diseases: Weight gain Type 2 diabetes Heart disease Some cancers Why are some sugars bad?

Maximum daily amounts 4-6 years: 5 cubes or 19 grams 7-10 years: 6 cubes or 24 grams 11+ years: 7 cubes or 30 grams *A single can of coke contains 9 sugar cubes*

How much sugar is in popular drinks? How many grams are in each? Which drinks will you choose?

In Uganda the sugar sector employs around 70,000 people. Although growing sugarcane creates more income, this often doesn’t mean farmers are able to feed their families enough. Sugar cane growing families often reduce the variety of crops they grow, as land is given to growing sugarcane. Small scale sugar cane farmers…

Kamuli district, Eastern Uganda Much of the land in Kamuli is occupied by sugarcane. It takes 18 months for sugarcane to mature Small scale farmers receive a lump sum for the crop, around £125*, which they then have to make last till the next harvest.

Meet Faridah, James and their three children: Tracy, Mugalu and Mebra

They are sugarcane farmers They live on a one acre sugar cane farm They don’t have enough food to eat just one decent meal a day It takes at least 18 months from planting sugar cane to being able to harvest it Roughly they earn £125 from each harvest, which has to last them the whole 18 months until they can harvest the next lot of sugar cane.

What do you think about Faridah and her families situation?

Send a Cow is launching Project Kamuli to improve the lives of small scale farmers. Send a Cow’s proven programmes of practical training and support will ensure households are able to grow lots of different vitamin-rich vegetables. Throughout May your school could get involved in Send a Cow’s Sweet Swap. By swapping sugary treats for healthier options and raising money you can help farmers swap poverty for hope.

Your school can take part by committing to give up sugar for a day or a week this May. Your school could: Get your canteen involved and go sugar-free for a day Hold a sugar-free inter-house bake-off competition Get cooking to discover new sugar-free recipes Whatever your school is able to do, swapping to healthy alternatives will help farmers make a healthy living from their land.