Children from primary schools across East Anglia got their fingers muddy taking part in a Kids Country ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’ day at the East of England Showground in Peterborough.
Over 400 schoolchildren packed the venue, with leading vegetable grower and supplier Produce World Group helping children from different schools across East Anglia to plant and grow their own potatoes.
As part of ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’, the Kids Country team at the East of England Agricultural Society organises two events – planting which took place on 11th March, and harvesting which takes place on 10th June. Prizes will be awarded at the harvesting event in June to the school and individual pupil that have the heaviest crop of potatoes overall.
The events at the East of England Agricultural Society are run by an army of volunteers, with donations from regional businesses, such as Produce World who donate seed potatoes and pots to schoolchildren.
Rachel Ilgunas, Agronomy and CSR Administrator at Produce World Group, says: “This is the third year that Produce World has been involved with the ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’ event which is a great initiative, educating schoolchildren about all aspects of potatoes, from planting and harvesting to the actual history of the veg. The hands-on experience makes it perfect for children and helps them understand where their favourite veg comes from and how to grow healthy and nutritious potatoes.”
Sandra Lauridsen, Education Manager for Kids Country, says: “We are delighted at how successful this year’s event was once again. It incorporates our philosophy here at Kids Country that the best way of teaching children about food and farming is for them to get muddy and interactive! We are very grateful to Produce World and our other exhibitors for helping us make this fantastic event happen.”
‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’ is a national initiative organised by Potato Council with two million children taking part across the UK, so they can learn where potatoes come from, how they grow and why they are a healthy food. The initiative fits in with the National Curriculum for UK primary schools, with schoolchildren learning every single aspect of the life-cycle of potatoes from planting to eating.
