produce world has funded seven University of Lincoln students on a three-day field trip to France.
The group are all key personnel at leading food and farming companies studying for a farming and food production foundation degree at the University’s Holbeach campus while on day release from their jobs.
They travelled to the Bordeaux area to research food production methods and sustainable resources management, including visits to a vineyard, vegetable packing company, caviar producer and a dairy products manufacturer.
David Stainton, principal lecturer in agriculture at Lincoln, accompanied the party. He said: “These students are studying a module in sustainable environmental management and their task was to examine how this is managed in France. They looked at waste and resource management and how French agriculture is responding to EU pressures.
“We are grateful to Produce World for making this trip possible and to the Institut des Sciences de la Nature et de l’Agroalimentaire de Bordeaux for helping to arrange the programme.”
On their return, the group is due to present a report to Produce World.
The company initially offered the university £500 for a scholarship, but doubled the gift when details of the innovative European study programme were proposed. A government funding scheme also contributed to the trip.
David Frost, group human resources director at Produce World, said: “We are delighted to support this excellent initiative and look forward to a continued partnership with Holbeach.”
Up to 10 students a year for the next three years will benefit from Produce World’s funding by travelling to Europe to find out about food supply from an international perspective.
Produce World is setting up a charity called The Growing Trust, with the aim of supporting educational and environmental projects in East Anglia and the surrounding areas.
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