The Year of Food and Farming is an industry-led initiative that aims to reconnect children, their parents and teachers with where their food comes from, how it is produced and how it impacts on the countryside around them.
Supported by Defra, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and Department of Health, with HRH The Prince of Wales acting as Patron, the Year of Food and Farming provides a unique opportunity for children, their teachers and parents to learn first-hand about:
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How food is grown,reared and produced and how it gets to the customer.
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How to prepare and cook food.
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What good nutrition means and how that can contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
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What happens on a farm and what life is like in the countryside.
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Career opportunities in food, farming and the countryside.
The Year of Food and Farming was launched within the region at Wimpole Farm by Adam Henson (BBC Countryfile) on 19 September 2007. Since then county groups have been established in the region, and have undertaken a great deal of activity to take the initiative forward.
In Norfolk a 'Glorious Food' event was held in Norwich. Organised by the Healthy Norfolk Schools Group, 90 primary schools attended and participated in bakery demonstrations - along with sausage making and food identifying games.
In Essex, 3000 pupils registered for the Essex School Food and Farming Day, which was held on 1 May 2008 at Writtle College in Chelmsford. Children were able to see cookery demonstrations and food tasting using healthy local produce, along with further demonstrations on milling wheat to make flour, dairy cow milking and goats cheese and ice cream making.
Support from East of England Development Agency has led to a number of new projects being delivered in the region, including training for farmers in hosting visits from local school children and a Food and Farming event being planned in Bedfordshire. The aim of this work is to help create a lasting legacy, which will extend beyond the end of the initiative in July 2008.
