Red Tractor farmers feed the Olympics
Team RT - Showcasing the journey from farms to the Olympic world-stage.
Following recognition of the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme as an integral part of LOCOG’s Food Vision for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games, Red Tractor is launching ‘Team RT’, a UK wide initiative to showcase how food makes its way from Red Tractor farms to the Olympics.
Team RT is a five-day, UK-wide initiative aimed at school children, using Red Tractor champion farmers to showcase the great work and quality standards that go into producing food that is being supplied on the world’s-stage, the 2012 Olympic Games.
Six champion Red Tractor farmer’s will showcase six farming sectors to educate children on how their food is produced and how it makes its way onto Olympic menus under the Red Tractor Assurance scheme.
Each of the six regional events will integrate a local school class to educate on farming methods and the route the food takes through the food chain. Team RT will be planning the ‘Farmer Potato Games’, as well as fun activities and educational farming resources for all children to engage in and ensure a fun day is had at the farm. i.e. How to use the wheat from William’s farm in Slough to make the bread that Olympians will be eating.
The nationwide campaign commencing 30th April will integrate a five day tour of the United Kingdom, showcasing six champion Red Tractor farmers from the following sectors: Dairy, Beef and Lamb, Poultry, Fresh Produce, Crops and Pigs. A full size real red tractor will visit each farm to help drive home the important farming messages behind Team RT.
Richard Cattell, Head of Marketing and Communications, at Red Tractor Assurance, the UK’s leading quality food assurance mark, said: “We are extremely proud to be a part of the largest peace-time catering operation in the world. We want to increase national awareness of Red Tractor farmers and establish a food legacy inspiring children to understand where their food comes from. Millions of UK shoppers eat Red Tractor food at affordable prices purchased from their supermarkets or whilst eating out, all year round. The Red Tractor logo is a guarantee that food and drink meets strict standards of food safety and traceability, care for the environment and animal welfare.
Lee Woodger, Head of Food Chain Unit at the NFU:
“The eyes of the world are on our athletes and our farmers. This is an important milestone for Red Tractor and the perfect time to showcase the hard work that UK farmers, growers, food service operators and retailers put into delivering quality food under the Red Tractor scheme all year round. We hope businesses and consumers will support and purchase Red Tractor food as we embrace sustainable catering standards for the future.”
Red Tractor will be launching a Team RT microsite TeamRT.org.uk and throughout the week will be posting Team RT updates online to include fun daily videos, interesting and factual links, fun resources for children to download and daily activity posts via their social media platforms, Facebook ‘Red Tractor’ and Twitter @RedTractorFood.
Red Tractor would like to invite you to attend your local farm for an interview with the farmer and photocall opportunity. Please contact rose@greenrow.co.uk or maya@greenrow.co.uk or call 0208 960 8950 to book your appointment at Team Red Tractor’s Farm day:
- 30th April – William Emmett, Hornbuckle Farm, East Berkshire (Wheat) http://hornbucklelivery.co.uk/default.aspx
- 30th April – Harry Erwin, Rectory Farm, Suffolk (Poultry)
- 1st May – Stephen Hobbs Newport Pagnall, Buckinghamshire (Beef)
- 1st May – Alistair & Stuart Butler, Blythburgh Farm, Suffolk http://www.freerangepork.co.uk/ (Pork)
- 2nd May – Tom Campbell, Ayrshire, Scotland, http://www.firstmilk.co.uk/our-company/directors/tom-campbell.html (Dairy)
- 3rd May – Jon Hammond, T Hammond & Sons, Nottingham, http://www.sherwoodproduce.co.uk/farmers/details.php?id=7 (Fresh Produce)
- 4th May – Hugh Tudor, Nantyrhfod Farm, Staylittle, Llanbrynmair, Powys SY19 7DB (Lamb)
Or for further information on Red Tractor and the activity visit www.TeamRT.org.uk
