Natural England

Cooking, composting and the countryside were three of the things which pupils from an Essex school took time out of the classroom to learn about this week.

Natural England and Ashylns Organic Farm hosted the day and welcomed 30 children from the Holy Cross Primary School in Harlow.

The 11 and 12 year olds were there to see first hand where their food comes from and put their own culinary skills to the test with a ‘cookie and muffin master class’ from the Ashlyns chefs!

Cameron McCue, a pupil from Holy Cross, said: “The cookies were better than ones brought from the bakers!”

On a tour of the farm by tractor and trailer, the party were delighted to see a flock of 350 organic free range laying hens, while learning about the farm’s composting scheme and the importance of local food.

Jan Kent, a teacher from Holy Cross, said: “I believe the visit will change and improve the children’s’ attitude towards food and recycling”.

The pupils then took part in a food quiz, which included a food and drink tasting before finally departing with their goody bags containing healthy recipes and ingredients to make a warming vegetable soup at home.

Natural England, who funded the event, is supporting the Year of Food and Farming, a year-long national campaign to encourage children to reconnect with the countryside and food production.

Fiona Kerr, from the Year of Food and Farming said: “Showing children where there food comes from and showing them how to turn it into a delicious meal is one of the simplest and greatest pleasures in life. The ‘field to fork events’ put together by Natural England aim to turn these children into lifelong lovers of fresh, local food so that they can appreciate the best of British produce.”

Amber Taylor from Natural England said: “We recognise that visits such as this are great opportunities for children to get involved with food, not just during the Year of Food and Farming’ but in future years too”.

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Notes for editors:

1. Photos of the pupils are available on request e.g. on the trailer, cooking, tasting new foods.

2. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

3. Further information about the Year of Food and Farming can be found at www.yearoffoodandfarming.org.uk

4. For further information about this visit please contact the Natural England Communications team:

Heather McMorland - 01733 455080
Andrew Smith - 01223 533474
Linzee Kottman – 01223 533431

Issued on behalf of Natural England by GNN East.