Local MPs have been visiting children across the country as part of the Potato Council’s primary school project, Grow Your Own Potatoes.
Seven visits have taken place recently including one by former farming minister Sir Jim Paice MP who joined pupils and teachers at Little Thetford C of E Primary in Cambridgeshire as they unearthed their Casablanca potatoes. And Kent MP Sir Roger Gale made the trip to Chartfield School, Westgate-on-Sea to help excited pupils with their harvest plants alongside local grower and potato ambassador Matt Spanton.
Head of marketing and corporate affairs at Potato Council Caroline Evans, said: “We’re delighted in the growing interest from MPs in the work the potato industry is doing to boost awareness amongst young children. The Grow Your Own Potatoes initiative encourages children to take a hands-on approach as they learn how food is produced. The project also successfully assists youngsters learning about a healthy balanced diet and instils positive eating habits that will stay with them as they grow. Both of these are very much part of the Government’s educational and healthy eating agenda.”
Other harvesting events took place at Llandrindod Wells CP School, Powys with Roger Williams MP; Doonfoot Primary School, Ayr with Sandra Osbourne MP; Newlaithes Infant School, Carlisle with John Stevenson MP; Braeburn Infant and Nursery School, Scarborough with Robert Goodwill MP; and Douglas Primary School, Douglas with Claudia Beamish MSP.
