Year of Food and Farming: a National Initiative

The Year of Food and Farming is an industry led initiative first proposed by the charity Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) and endorsed by DEFRA.   It is a campaign to promote healthy living by giving young people direct experience of the countryside, farming and food.

During the Year, children will have the opportunity to:

• Follow the story from ‘field to fork’
• Explore the importance of food
• Make informed decisions about food and healthy nutrition
• Watch what happens on a real-life farm
• Experience what the countryside can offer
• Learn more about environmental issues linked to food and the countryside.

The Year runs from September 2007 to July 2008

The Aim

The aim is for the year of Food and Farming to give young people in England hands-on learning experiences based around three core areas: visits, growing experiences and cooking or preparing food. This will give them the opportunity to:

• Find out how food is grown and produced
• Explore the importance of food
• Make informed choices about healthy eating
• Experience what the countryside can offer
• Learn more about environmental issues linked to food and the countryside.

The Aspirations

The Year of Food and Farming has eight aspirations:

Primary School Pupils
1.  Every pupil will have undertaken a growing activity during his or her primary school years.
2.  Every pupil will have had first-hand experiences of food being grown by visiting a farm or other countryside location (day or residential) during his or her primary school years.
3.  Every pupil will have had the opportunity to prepare at least one food plate during his or her primary school years.

Secondary Stage Pupils
4.  Every student will have taken part in an activity within the countryside during his or her secondary school years.
5.   Every student will have had the opportunity to undertake relevant work-related activities during his or her secondary school years.

Schools and Teacher Training Institutions
6.   Every student and practicing teacher will be aware of the curriculum opportunities offered through experiences of food, farming and the countryside.
7.   Every school will be participating in local food procurement initiatives.
8.   Every school will be promoting healthy living through experience of food, farming and the countryside.

For more national information, visit the Year of Food and Farming website