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Planting the Seeds of Change

Press release: 18/07/2007

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PLANTING THE SEEDS OF CHANGE
THE CHILDREN’S FOOD FESTIVAL HAILED A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

‘I love potatoes, they’re delicious!’ These sentiments were echoed by many of the 15,000 visitors at the UK’s first ever Children’s Food Festival, which took place at Abingdon Airfield, near Oxford at the weekend.

Thousands of children climbed aboard the British Potato Council (BPC)’s promotional vehicle to take part in fun potato-based activities. They learnt the wonders of potatoes; where they come from and how they are grown, and the many great dishes that are made from them. For many, the highlight was being able to taste delicious new potatoes with various toppings, all of which can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

As a major supporter of the unique event, BPC marketing manager, Kathryn Race said: “The festival itself was a real triumph and we were delighted to see such enthusiasm from children and their parents who visited our stand. We had such positive feedback from the children who told us how much they enjoyed eating potatoes while parents were inspired by the simple and healthy yet irresistible dishes served up. Many took recipe details away with them to try at home as part of our campaign to get them to ‘challenge potatoes to give them more.’

“We have long been concerned over how little exposure some children have to how things grow and where food comes from. At the BPC we’ve been spurred on by the success of our own primary schools project ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’, which combines theory with hands-on activity as children take responsibility for growing their own potato plants and learning about the potato’s role in a healthy balanced diet.

“Initiatives such as ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’, the Children’s Food Festival and the growing number of open farm days, which put children directly in touch with food and the processes from farm to plate, mean that the industry is making massive headway into changing young people’s attitudes to food. And as lessons learnt early on in life tend to stay with you, this is a real investment in educating the shoppers of tomorrow.”

The festival also welcomed top celebrity chefs, including patrons Raymond Blanc and Sophie Grigson as well as Prue Leith, Antonio Carluccio and Nora Sands from the TV programme Jamie’s School Dinners, to inspire the taste buds of a new generation. There were extensive hands-on activities to educate children about food, where it comes from and that cooking can be exciting; from ‘field to fork’ marquees, demonstrations of tastes from around the world, the chance to see farm animals and machinery and much more.

For more information on the BPC’s ‘Challenge Potatoes’ campaign and its promotional vehicle visit www.potato.org.uk.

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Notes to editors
The BPC supported the Children’s Food Festival - a Northmoor Trust event - as part of its summer campaign, which urges mums to ‘challenge potatoes’ to give them more variety, taste and health at meal times and its wider education programme for children. Specifically, the ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’ project helps inspire children to learn about food; where it comes from, how it is grown and the important role of potatoes in a healthy balanced diet.

For further information please contact Toni Connolly at HD Communications Limited.
T: 01372 822940 Direct Line: 01372 822941 E: toni.connolly@hdcommunications.co.uk

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