Youngsters Enjoy a Hearty Start to the Day at Showground
More than 100 schoolchildren enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the Great Yorkshire
Showground in Harrogate and learned just why it is the most important meal of
the day, courtesy of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
The special event on Tuesday, 22 January, was arranged as part of the organisation’s
support of National Farmhouse Breakfast Week. Around 118 pupils from St Robert’s
Catholic Primary School in Harrogate took part in a series of workshops which
highlighted the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast and the importance of good
quality, regional food.
The seven to 11-year-olds also examined their own eating habits, and found cereal
and milk was the most popular start to the day, closely followed by toast. Just
four pupils had eaten nothing for their breakfast.
As well as learning about milk and dairy products with Sarah Kalkowski of Hazel
Brow Farm in Richmond, North Yorkshire, the children met some of the farm hens
and enjoyed hearing more about poultry and eggs from her colleague, Amanda Fuller.
George Hamilton of Growing Routes explained how crops such as barley and corn
ended up on our breakfast tables, while the team from Metcalfe Organics of Aldborough,
near Boroughbridge, introduced the group to a range of delicious fruit and vegetables.
Grant and Mark Burton of JH & M Burton of Wilberfoss, York, demonstrated
the art of sausage-making, and the pupils – and their teachers – enjoyed the end
results as part of their breakfast, along with cereals, local milk and fruit.
The sausage and bacon baps were cooked by members of Ladies in Pigs, an organisation
promoting the quality and versatility of British pork and pork products.
Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “The
morning was a great success. The children learned more about exactly where their
food comes from - in Yorkshire we have farmers who work hard to ensure we have
the very best produce to put on our tables.
“The Society is dedicated to promoting the quality and availability of fantastic
local food, and Farmhouse Breakfast Week is a wonderful opportunity to do so.
“Children also need to learn how vital it is to eat good quality, healthy food
in order to grow and develop properly. A good breakfast sets them up for the day
and improves concentration, which will benefit their education.”
Chief Executive Nigel Pulling with Myles Kirk, aged 9, and Star the hen