Field to fork – food for thought down on the farm

Wigan school children will be in a field of their own this week when they go back to the land to find out where food comes from.

Almost 100 pupils from Leigh Central and Garrett Hall primary schools will be donning their wellies on Wednesday July 2 to spend a day at Leyland’s Farm, Mosley Common.

The event has been organised by the Wigan Education Business Partnership (EBP) as part of the national Year of Food and Farming.

Ann Roughley from the EBP explains:

“The Year of Food and Farming began last September with the aim of promoting healthy living by offering children and young people the chance to experience the countryside.

“It’s a chance to explore the importance of food, where it comes from and what happens on a real-life farm.

“The year is drawing to a close and we see this event as a celebration and a chance to reflect on all the good work that has taken place in our borough.”

There will be plenty of activities for the young farmers including tours of the farm; school meals catering service Metrofresh will be helping the children put together healthy food plates; the council’s Environmental Health team will be on hand to talk about hygiene and there will be spectacular birds of prey demonstrations.

Ann adds:

“It’s been a memorable year and the event will be a fitting finale. Our hope is that the children take what they have experienced as part of the Year of Food and Farming and put them to good use in their everyday lives.”