‘LEEFlet’ The Newsletter of the London Environmental Education Forum January 2008
The Year of Food and Farming aims to promote healthy living by offering young people direct experience of the countryside, farming and food. The Year runs from September 2007 to July 2008 and during that time, there’ll be exciting opportunities for children to: • • • • • •
follow the story from 'field to fork' explore the importance of food make informed decisions about food and healthy nutrition watch what happens on a real life farm experience what the countryside can offer learn more about environmental issues linked to food and the countryside.
Throughout the Year, activities and resources will support curriculum teaching and offer memorable hands on learning experiences. Taking part can help schools achieve the Healthy Schools Standard and the Year will support ‘The Learning Outside the Classroom manifesto’. The Year will provide memorable opportunities to engage young people of all ages in many parts of the curriculum including PSHE, Science, Design and Technology and Geography. The website brings together offers of help, details of events and curriculum resources to make it an easily accessible topic for schools. The Year offers an opportunity for schools to showcase their work and share ideas with other schools through the ‘Megamap’. It is hoped that it will forge strong links between schools and food and farming businesses, and provide educational materials that will last beyond the Year itself. Industry partners include key food and farming organisations such as the National Farmers Union, the Country Land & Business Association, the Food and Drink Federation, the agricultural levy boards and the National Association of Landbased Colleges. More and more will be taking part as a wide range of businesses and individuals from the food, farming and countryside sectors come on board. HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron for the Year, which is endorsed by: •
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs