More than a third of young people would like to grow their own food according to new research published by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

But the study also revealed that one in ten parent and grandparents do nothing to teach their children and grandchildren about the origin of food.

One in five parents said they relied on teachers to inform their offspring about how food is produced and as such many children find there enthusiasm can go unanswered.

In relation to the recent rise in levels of child obesity, 30 per cent of parents said an improved knowledge of food would be good for their child's diet.

To remedy the situation, a government-funded project is attempting to spread the message of outdoor classrooms, including teaching about food production and how to grow vegetables.

TV gardener Chris Beardshaw has designed a display garden at next month's Hampton Court Palace Flower Show to demonstrate the outdoor areas schools can use to learn about a variety of subjects.

Mr Beardshaw said: "Exciting projects like this offer a rare opportunity for design, politics and education to unite to enhance learning opportunities for young people.

"Our garden at Hampton Court demonstrates a variety of ways to stimulate a genuine relationship between young people and the environment, together with an enhanced understanding of food and biodiversity."

The £250,000 DfES project, with additional funding from other sponsors, includes a prehistory trail to aid in science teaching and a poetry wall to create artwork.

Education minister Jim Knight said the government wanted "every young person to have regular opportunities to get out and about".

"Nothing can match the experience of eating vegetables you have grown yourself, discovering newts in a wildlife pond, seeing a great masterpiece in an art gallery or climbing a mountain for the first time," Mr Knight added.

The garden was designed by Mr Beardshaw along with pupils from 31 schools.

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