Top Education Awards For The Co-Operative Farms

The Co-operative Farms has been awarded a prestigious new quality accreditation for the education it provides for visiting schoolchildren at three of its sites.

Farms at Tillington, near Hereford, Swinefleet, near Goole, and Ashby St Ledgers, near Rugby, have earned the newly-launched Quality Badge for Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC), in recognition of their commitment to bringing food and farming to life for local primary school children.

As part of The Co-operatives commitment to inspiring young people, the farms host regular From Farm to Fork visits by classes of eight and nine-year-olds from local schools.

Since From Farm to Forks launch thousands of children have visited to experience for themselves where food comes from and how to create healthy meals to take home to their families. Visits are run by The Co-operative Farms in conjunction with local Co-operative Food stores, who provide produce for schools to take to the farms.

The LOTC Quality Badge covers safety and quality standards, and gives teachers a guarantee that the venue provides a high standard of education in a safe environment.

The Co-operative Farm at Stoughton, near Leicester, has already been awarded the LOTC Quality Badge.

Nick Padwick, Farm Manager at Stoughton, oversees From Farm to Fork for The Co-operative Farms. He said: We are delighted, and very proud, that three more farms have been awarded the LOTC Quality Badge. We offer high-quality teaching and learning in a safe but fun environment, and these accreditations are welcome endorsements of the hard work by everyone which has helped make From Farm to Fork such a success.

For more information about The Co-operatives From Farm to Fork initiative visit the website at www.fromfarmtofork.co.uk.