The year began in September 2007 and aims to involve all schools in England. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is the patron for the initiative, which is being led by the food and farming industry, and supported by Defra, the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health.
The Year of Food and Farming will link with a whole range of initiatives such as the 'Healthy Schools Standard', 'Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto' and 'Strategy for Sustainable Food and Farming', to give a single focus to schools.
It aims to achieve:
- Better understanding of the food chain and the role played by farming
- Increased links between schools, farmers and food producers
- Development of healthier lifestyles and good nutrition
- An increased interest in careers in the food & farming industries
- A greater appreciation of the importance of the countryside and environmental issues
There will be a wide variety of activities including:
- Development of curriculum materials and projects on food and farming
- Visits to food and farming businesses
- Exchanges of staff: short-term teacher secondments or job shadowing
- Activities based around food retailers and restaurant businesses
Competitions
- Growing activities: encouraging school kitchen gardens
- Community projects
- Debates on key issues.
In the South West, delivery of the initiative will be overseen by the Sustainable Farming and Food Board chaired by John Lee and managed by the Chamber of Rural Enterprise (CORE).
For more information on the national picture please see the National Year of Food and Farming website. For more information on what is happening in the South West Chamber of Rural Enterprise website .
