Schools Harvesting Renews Vigour For Potatoes

Potatoes have been the centre of classroom activity as thousands of Earlies, grown as part of the Potato Council ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’ project, have been unearthed.

Nearly half a million pupils have had a hand in growing their own potatoes this year thanks to the scheme which aims to help the next generation develop positive, life-long potato-eating habits.

It began in earnest back in March when seed potatoes were planted by 14,500 participating schools and after three months, pupils and teachers alike were excited to discover what they had produced – helped by growers themselves.

Following the project, and to continue to build their understanding of how potatoes grow on a larger scale, Andrea Adams, Potato Ambassador for Central England, who went along to Corbett Primary School in Stourbridge, will be hosting a farm tour for the children in July.

Sue Lawton from Potato Council said: “The feedback from schools and growers participating this year has been fantastic. We know the project works because it is simple and good fun, and that means that the messages learnt by the children should endure – and they will continue to enjoy potatoes in the future.”

This is summed up by Miss Barnet of Kennett Valley Primary School, who said: “Hands on activity and ‘getting involved’ is the best way for children to learn;we’ll definitely be signing up to Grow Your Own Potatoes again next year.”

Schools have now entered their harvesting weights as part of a competition to find the heaviest crop of each variety, as well as the hunt to find the biggest single potato grown.