Potatoes take centre stage at a Lincolnshire school

28 March 2008

Staff and pupils at South Hykeham Primary School enjoyed a day-long potato extravaganza as part of a joint celebration of the National Year of Food and Farming and the International Year of the Potato.

Pupils were able to plant and eat potatoes, as well as competing with each other utilising the ever versatile vegetable. Members of the Branston team visited the school and donated seed potatoes, Haxnicks' potato patio planters and baking potatoes for all the pupils.

Pete Blaylock, Field Services Manager, started the day with a talk on how potatoes grow and their importance as a food source. Following Pete's talk pupils entered into a range of potato-based games and competitions and the activities were supplementd by a series of online activities designed to teach pupils about agriculture and nutrition.

The children also demonstrated their artistic flair through potato printing and a taking part in a competition for the best decorated potato. The competition was judged by Jo Parish, Retail Director and Jackie Baker, Marketing Executive, who then helped the children plant seed potatoes. The children are looking forward to using the resulting crop in their cookery lessons in a few months time.

"This is a great opportunity for the children to learn about food in a 'hands-on' way that will stimulate interest in healthy eating, the growing process and build an understanding of where food comes from," commented Jo. "South Hykeham Primary School's decision to dedicate a day to the subject is highly commendable and quite an achievement."

Anna Malloch, Deputy Head at the school said: "We are extremely grateful to Branston for their generous donation of both time and materials. Our pupils will now be able to monitor these plants as they grow and use their experiences alongside the national curriculum."

134 puplis took part in the festivities and at the end of the day they all sat down to a baked potato supper, cooked by Carol Philips owner of Hall Farm B&B, which is next door to the school.