Year of Food and Farming

About the year

Our aims

Our aim is for the Year of Food and Farming to give young people in England hands-on learning experiences based around three core areas: visits, growing experiences and cooking or preparing food. This will give them the opportunity to:

  • find out how food is grown and produced
  • explore the importance of food
  • make informed choices about healthy eating
  • experience what the countryside can offer
  • learn more about environmental issues linked to food and the countryside.

Our eight aspirations are:

Primary school pupils
  1. Every pupil will have undertaken a growing activity during his or her primary school years.
  2. Every pupil will have had first-hand experience of food being grown by visiting a farm or other countryside location (day or residential) during his or her primary school years.
  3. Every pupil will have had the opportunity to prepare at least one food plate during his or her primary school years.
Secondary stage students
  1. Every student will have taken part in an activity within the countryside during his or her secondary school years.
  2. Every student will have had the opportunity to undertake relevant work-related activities during his or her secondary school years.
Schools and teacher training institutions
  1. Every student and practising teacher will be aware of the curriculum opportunities offered through experience of food, farming and the countryside.
  2. Every school will be participating in local food procurement initiatives.
  3. Every school will be promoting healthy living through experience of food, farming and the countryside.