A survey of primary school children, conducted by Kids Country, indicates children in East Anglia are bucking national trends and do, in fact, understand the importance of eating breakfast. Almost 100 per cent of the children questioned know that breakfast should be eaten every day.
As part of National Breakfast Week, Kids Country, the education arm of the East of England Agricultural Society, conducted the survey and visited two schools in the region, giving over 300 children the opportunity to increase their knowledge of the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast, and teaching them about where their food comes from.
A member of the East of England Agricultural Society parked a Massey Ferguson tractor, provided by Chandlers Farm Equipment, in the playground of the schools visited. The tractor was used to explain the role of farming in getting breakfast products from the field to the table.
The children also had the chance to taste a variety of different breakfast produce, with oats donated by Jordans Ryvita, flour provided by Marriage’s Master Millers, bacon from The Fruit Pig Company, and local honey provided by a Peterborough beekeeper. Pupils also took part in interactive games and quizzes about animals, food products and the farm.
Commenting on the event, Ms Jackii Crockett, Headteacher at St Botolph’s School, said: “As a school, we could not have provided the expertise, volunteers or food stuffs for all the children to learn about the importance of a healthy breakfast without the support of Kids Country.
The visit has made the farm to fork adventure real for the children; standing next to a tractor wheel that is taller than them is a really powerful message for a child. Next time they see a picture of a tractor or watch one on TV, they will know how big it is and the part it plays in bringing them the food on their plate.”
The Mayor and Mayoress of Peterborough attended St Botolph’s School to see first-hand what the children were experiencing. Commenting on the importance of events like the tour, Mayor of Peterborough, Councillor John Peach, said: “Hands-on education provides children with a fun and exciting way to learn, and puts their learning into the context of the world around them.
We know all too well that children who skip breakfast find it hard to concentrate, which is why it is vital that initiatives like Kids Country continue to provide practical, hands-on learning about the importance of healthy eating, as well as giving children an understanding of where their food comes from.”
One of the pupils from Warmington School, also visited by Kids Country as part of National Breakfast Week, added: “It has been so much fun! I loved making pancakes, and learning that wheat makes flour and flour makes pancakes. I also learnt how many seeds you can plant in a field and how a farmer has to take care of them so they grow. Did you know you can eat all parts of the pig, even the snout!”
The tour was sponsored by the Central England Cooperative. Karen Ball, Member and Community Relations Officer at Central England Co-operative explains why they get involved in projects like the Kids Country Breakfast Week tour: “As an ethical retailer, we are delighted to support local primary schools and partner with community groups to help educate children on food, farming and much more.
We had a great time, learning about the food journey from farm to fork, the interesting story of where flour comes from and making some great pancakes. The tour has been a fun, interactive and engaging way to educate and we are proud to have supported this event.”
