Reaping the top honours

Nov 20 2008 by Our Correspondent, Blairgowrie Advertiser

THE Co-operative Group has received two major awards for its From Farm to Fork outdoor learning experience for primary schoolchildren.

The project operates at seven farms across the UK, including Rosemount Farm in Blairgowrie, which began welcoming schools in May this year. The scheme has received recognition from two prominent food industry bodies, the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) and the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) – as well as leading farming trade magazine, Farmers Weekly.

The From Farm to Fork project began at The Co-operative Farms’ Leicestershire Estate in 2005. It has now grown into a national programme, which has benefited 10,000 primary schoolchildren to date.

At Blairgowrie, the children spend a day at the farm, where they learn about the countryside and wildlife, identify crops, see how strawberries are grown, and plant their own seeds. As well as pulling on their wellies and spending time outside, children also see how crops turn into the food they eat by cooking their own food, such as healthy pizzas.

The IGD said the project was a worthy winner of its Unilever Social Innovation Award. The judges noted how the scheme enabled The Co-operative to actively engage with the local communities it serves by helping children connect with their food and understand where it comes from.

An award was also presented by Sir Don Curry, Chair of the FDF’s Community Partnership Awards’ expert judging panel. The Chairman’s Award recognised the exceptional support that The Co-operative Farms gave to the Year of Food and Farming and its pioneering outdoor learning experience.

Sir Don said: “The support that The Co-operative Farms gave the Year of Food and Farming was exceptional, and their FDF award is much deserved. From Farm to Fork helps primary schoolchildren understand where their food comes from, and will therefore help them to make better informed choices. A major factor in the success of the project has been the energy and enthusiasm of the staff involved who have influenced thousands of children.”

Maggie Hart, schools’ project leader at Rosemount Farm, said: “We’ve seen how rewarding a day here at the farm is for local schoolchildren, so it’s fantastic that 10,000 children across the country have benefited from spending a day on a Co-operative farm. These awards are recognition of the hard work that people right across the business have put into making From Farm to Fork a success.”