CHILDREN’S lack of knowledge about where their food comes from is an in increasingly hot topic. A recent British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) survey found that a quarter of primary school children thought that cheese came from plants, while 13% thought that pasta came from an animal.
Welsh red meat body Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is doing its bit during the spring to address this lack of knowledge.
Earlier this month, HCC cook Elwen Roberts joined the innovative ‘Cows on Tour’ team at Marshfield Primary School near Newport. Cows on Tour is a programme in which children get the chance to meet farmers, interact with animals, and learn interactively where meat and dairy products come from.
Also, on June 10, HCC will also be involved with a major ‘Open Farm Sunday’ event in Pembrokeshire. In partnership with Blas y Tir, the National Trust, the Scarlets rugby region and the Farms for City Children charity, HCC will be serving samples of nutritious meals with PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef and organising children’s activities, as part of a day of family fun at Lower Treginnis Farm near St. David’s.
Prior to the event, children in Pembrokeshire are being encouraged to design a healthy school dinner menu, with prizes being announced at Open Farm Sunday.
“HCC is proud to join with our partners to help children gain a better understanding of where their food comes from, and how to eat a healthy and balanced diet,” said HCC’s Elwen Roberts.
“At Newport, we helped the Cows on Tour team by preparing samples of Welsh Beef pasta with fresh vegetables for the children,” she said, “as well as a barbecue for the parents in the evening.”
Elwen added, “We’re looking forward greatly to taking part in activities around Open Farm Sunday on June 10 in Pembrokeshire with Blas y Tir and Farms for City Children. It’ll be exciting to be part of the ‘Healthy Living Zone’ at Lower Treginnis with Scarlets rugby players. There’ll be plenty to do for children and adults alike.”
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