Branston helps South West schools to grow

25 April 2008

Branston is supporting ten schools close to its site in Seavington St Michael with their involvement in this year's Grow Your Own Potatoes project. Organised by the Potato Council, Grow Your Own Potatoes educates children on where food comes from, with each participating school receiving a kit including everything needed to grow potatoes and enter into regional competitions when crops are harvested in June.

Branston has donated additional seed potatoes and Haxnicks Potato Patio Planters to each school so that more children can get firsthand experience of growing potatoes. As well as making the donation, members of the Branston team visited their local schools to talk to pupils about how potatoes grow and to show them how to 'chit' and plant their potatoes. Branston's experts have also provided advice on how to get a good crop and will be returning at 'harvest time' to see the results of the children's endeavours.

Dr John Tobin from Branston, who spoke to pupils at Shepton Beauchamp First School near Ilminster comments: "Learning about food and where it comes from is a great way of promoting healthy eating and is important for pupils wanting to know more about their environment. All of the children had such a positive response to the talks and none of them were scared of getting their hands dirty. It's great to be part of such an engaging project that gets kids involved with food and stimulates their interest in growing crops."

Karen Brooker, Head Teacher at Shepton Beauchamp Church of England First School and St Mary and St Peter's Church of England First School says: "We're really grateful to Branston for this fantastic donation. It's good to see a local business getting involved in such a beneficial project. The puplis have really enjoyed planting their own crops and we can't wait to start harvesting the results."

As well as Shepton Beauchamp First School, Branston also worked with Hambridge Community Primary School, Lovington Church of England Primary School, Neroche Primary School, Haselbury Plucknett Church of England First School, Greenfylde Church of England School, Tatworth Primary School, South Petherton Church of England Infants School, St Mary and St Peter's Church of England First School and Norton Sub Hamdon Church of England Primary School.