Young farmers will be cooking up a storm for Great British Food at London 2012
With London 2012 fast approaching, The National Federation of Young Farmer’s Clubs is teaming up with Natural England to run a series of cook-a-thons during the Olympic Torch Relay as part of the London 2012 Inspire programme.
Sarah Palmer, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Officer, NFYFC with James Eckley, Operations Manager, NFYFC (centre) with Natural England’s Director for Land Management, Mark Felton (right)
The idea is to help celebrate the best of the country’s locally grown and sustainable produce, cooked by young farmers.
The ‘Great British Food for Great British Athletes’ initiative will see the members of Young Farmers’ Clubs showcasing local British produce at cookery demonstrations and events during the Olympic Torch Relay.
From Windermere to Newham, YFC members will be situated at ten of the overnight torch stops across the country and cooking for the torch bearers and spectators along the route, as well as displaying their cookery skills as part of other locally organised events.
All the demonstrations will use locally sourced produce, reflecting the importance of sustainable food and promoting the role that British farmers are playing in growing sustainable, local food.
The idea is an evolution of the annual cookery competition that NFYFC have held for over 30 years; challenging clubs to come up with inventive meals using local produce and giving young people hands-on experience of food and cookery.
NFYFC member Helen Reeve said: ‘ NFYFCs Agriculture Forum wanted to help promote British food and farming during the Olympic Games 2012. We have worked with Natural England to develop and deliver a project to include as many YFC members as possible during the Olympic Torch Relay. We are excited and delighted to work in this way with Natural England.’
Mark Felton, Natural England’s Director for Land Management Development, added: ‘As well as their primary work of producing food, British farmers play a vital role as stewards of our countryside. The Olympic Torch Relay Cooking Demonstrations will be a truly marathon undertaking and one of the most ambitious events ever held by YFC members. It’s a golden opportunity for young farmers to enthuse and inspire local communities and young people across England about the role that they play in producing food and in the conservation and enhancement of our natural environment.’
“Natural England is very supportive of the work of Young Farmers Clubs and we are really pleased to able to be working with them and LOCOG in this exciting initiative. We are looking forward to some fun cooking events and delighted to be sharing in the excitement of the Olympic Torch Relay.”
About National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs
The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs(NFYFC) is one of the largest voluntary rural youth organisations in the UK. It heads a nationwide body of 660 Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFCs) located throughout England and Wales dedicated to supporting young people in agriculture and the countryside. Run by young people, for young people, the clubs’ memberships comprise more than 23,000 members aged 10 to 26 and provide a unique opportunity for members to develop skills, work with the local community, travel abroad, take part in a varied competitions programme and enjoy a dynamic social life. For more information about NFYFC, visit www.nfyfc.org.uk
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and advising on their conservation.
We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
