Year of Food and Farming

Maureen Friday attended the London Launch of the Year of Food and Farming in Lambeth Town Hall on behalf of WFU on Thursday, 6th December. The breakfast was donated by Willetts and attended by London teachers and organisations involved in the Year.

Sir Don Curry spoke of the initiatives being undertaken for the year and how this is just the beginning. It is hoped this year will spark off a future of close collaboration between schools and the food and farming community. Schools will be encouraged to get involved with growing and cooking food and visiting farms and the countryside so they can develop a better understanding of where their food comes from and help them make better, informed choices about a healthy diet.

A Deputy Head teacher from Bromley spoke of how they encouraged pupils' interest in food and healthy eating, by using the school grounds for the children to grow fruit and vegetables. Some of his pupils then told of their activities and what they enjoyed most about growing food and working on the allotment.

Helen Evans, the Communications Manager for Covent Garden Market Authority is working with FACE and Tom Beeston from Food and Drink from the South East to organise visiting school parties to Convent Garden on day trips to find out about locally produced food. Fiona White, the London Manager for Food for Life, which is in Partnership with the Soil Association have provided a grant to speak to school children.

Gillian van der Meer did a wonderful vegetable display, which the children really loved, seen here with the organisers of the Breakfast Event.