Jubilee celebrations were combined with an edible lesson from The National Fruit Show education programme at Hunton Primary School nr Maidstone (Friday 27 May). Children were treated to an end of term feast of delicious strawberries, raspberries and ‘Lillibet’ apples all from local growers and washed down with a specially made fruit juice.
The Jubilee tea was a fun, outdoor lesson on healthy eating, as children munched their way through the special new “Lillibet’ apple variety, grown by Bardsley England and strawberries and raspberries from Berry Gardens. The apple juice was also made from Lillibet apples by Owlet Fruit Juice/ Loddington Farm.
Samantha Smith who leads the education programme at the National Fruit Show comments: “We were delighted to combine all the fun and excitement of a once in a lifetime Platinum Jubilee fancy dress celebration with a healthy and seasonal tea party, to encourage children to eat and drink British berries and apples all grown or produced within a five mile radius of their school. We want the children to see the richness and abundance of fresh produce all on their doorstep and to understand where their food comes from and what it takes to grow, store, and deliver it to shops. We also want them to know that Kent still grows the best quality apples and berries in the world. Improving food education and encouraging healthy eating choices should be fun and we want them to remember to eat their five-a-day in the future. Making it such a big part of the Jubilee celebrations is hopefully a way they will remember it for years to come.”
Sarah Calcutt, Executive Chair of The National Fruit show comments: “Our education outreach programme is made possible by the generous support of sponsors AC Goatham & Son, Avalon Produce and OnePay. We are currently expanding our education programme to include berries thanks to a grant from the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and many other businesses who support the programme through the donation of trees, fruit and fruit crisps. The whole British fruit industry is getting behind this initiative and with that support, we are able to reach thousands of young people aged 5-18.”
More information about the education programme can be found at https://nationalfruitshow.org.uk/nfs-education/
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Notes to editors:
Now entering its 89th year and dedicated to showcasing the British top and soft fruit, the National Fruit Show is the show ‘by growers for growers’. Also new for 2022 is a focus on soft fruit at the show, including a new soft fruit technical forum.
For further information contact:
Alison Baldwin, Coast
T: 01233 503200 / 07949 561489
E: alison@coastcommunications.co.uk