24/01/08
More than 100 schoolchildren enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the
Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and learned just why it
is the most important meal of the day, courtesy of the Yorkshire
Agricultural Society.
Chief Executive Nigel Pulling with Myles Kirk, aged 9, and Star
the hen.
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The special event on Tuesday, 22 January, was arranged as part
of the organisation’s support of National Farmhouse Breakfast
Week. Around 118 pupils from St Robert’s Catholic Primary
School in Harrogate took part in a series of workshops which highlighted
the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast and the importance of
good quality, regional food.
The seven to 11-year-olds also examined their own eating habits,
and found cereal and milk was the most popular start to the day,
closely followed by toast. Just four pupils had eaten nothing for
their breakfast.
As well as learning about milk and dairy products with Sarah Kalkowski
of Hazel Brow Farm in Richmond, North Yorkshire, the children met
some of the farm hens and enjoyed hearing more about poultry and
eggs from her colleague, Amanda Fuller.
George Hamilton of Growing Routes explained how crops such as barley
and corn ended up on our breakfast tables, while the team from
Metcalfe Organics of Aldborough, near Boroughbridge, introduced
the group to a range of delicious fruit and vegetables.
Grant and Mark Burton of JH & M Burton of Wilberfoss, York,
demonstrated the art of sausage-making, and the pupils – and
their teachers – enjoyed the end results as part of their
breakfast, along with cereals, local milk and fruit. The sausage
and bacon baps were 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: “The morning was a great success. The children learned
more about exactly where their food comes from - in Yorkshire we
have farmers who work hard to ensure we have the very best produce
to put on our tables.
“The Society is dedicated to promoting the quality and availability
of fantastic local food, and Farmhouse Breakfast Week is a wonderful
opportunity to do so.
“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 benefit their education.”
• Farmhouse Breakfast Week runs 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.
 Big Farmhouse Breakfast Fundraiser
2008 Charity Big Farmhouse Breakfast looms
National Food Policy Has Massive Potential |
