Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate

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in support of Farmhouse Breakfast Week
Tuesday 22 January 2008

More than 100 schoolchildren enjoyed breakfast at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, courtesy of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, as part of the organisation’s support of National Farmhouse Breakfast Week.

Aged from seven to 11 years old, over 100 pupils from St Robert’s Catholic Primary School, Harrogate  took part in a series of workshops to highlight the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast and the importance of good quality, regional food.

As well as examining their own breakfast habits and learning what kind of food will give them the best start to the day, the children were taught about goats by Sarah Kalkowski of Hazel Brow Farm in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
 

Breakfast included a choice of cereals, local milk and fruit, and either a bacon or sausage bap cooked by members of Ladies in Pigs, an organisation promoting the quality and versatility of British pork and pork products.

Nigel Pulling, Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “It’s important for children to know where their food comes from, and Yorkshire farmers produce some of the finest food in the country.

above: Nigel Pulling, the Society’s Chief Executive

Farmhouse Breakfast Week is a wonderful opportunity to give children a taste – literally – of what is available locally, and to emphasise the value of healthy food and the major role farmers play in putting the food on our plates.



“Children also need to learn how vital it is to eat good quality, healthy food in order to grow and develop properly. A good breakfast sets them up for the day and improves concentration, which will also benefit their learning.”


The headteacher of St Robert’s RC School, Mrs Maureen Benson, said the school had been very much looking forward to taking part in the initiative.


“We believe strongly in healthy eating at St Roberts – we have the Healthy School Award – and this will be a great opportunity for the children to learn exactly where their food comes from and that meals don’t come ready made from the supermarket,” she said.



“As teachers, we can see the difference between pupils who have had a good breakfast in the mornings and those who maybe haven’t bothered.Those who have had something to eat and drink are much more alert and have better concentration. Hopefully, taking part in Farmhouse Breakfast Week will make them all aware of how important it is to start the day properly.”



The visit was on Tuesday, 22 January,and included a welcome by Hazel Baker, the Society’s Education Adviser.

Workshops:



* Fruit & Vegetables – The team from Metcalfe Organics of Aldborough, near Boroughbridge, explained the importance of fresh fruit and vegetables in our diets

* Cereals & Crops – George Hamilton of Growing Routes, who  carried out a mini-survey on the children’s breakfast habits

* The Art of Sausage-Making – Grant Burton of JH & M Burton, Wilberfoss, York

* Milk & Dairy – Sarah Kalkowski of Hazel Brow Farm, Richmond, including learning about goats

* Poultry and eggs – Amanda Fuller, also of Hazel Brow Farm, Richmond

* Farmhouse Breakfast Week ran from 21-27 January 2007 and is now in its ninth year.

* The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is best known as the organiser of the Great Yorkshire Show and Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair; however it gives support year round to the farming industry. More than £600,000 is given annually to assist agriculture. It has an extensive education programme to raise awareness amongst children, students and teachers, of the value of using local food and recognising the part played by the region’s farmers in its production.

Under the leadership of Education Adviser Hazel Baker, events for children and teachers are run at the showground year round, using the site as a resource for learning.

The Society’s Chief Executive is Nigel Pulling.