Driffield Agricultural Society is to help children find out more about the origins of their food and what it takes to grow vegetables.
The society is one of the organisers of a competition among primary schools across Hull and the East Riding which will help them discover more about where their food comes from and the importance of a healthy, well-balanced diet.
The Young Growe
rs Challenge has also been organised by representatives from Bishop Burton College, Birds Eye, Waitrose and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Aimee Dawson, fieldsman for Birds Eye, has liaised with schools and made sure they have everything they need to get growing, from technical advice to pots and seeds.
She said: "As we know, this year is the Year of Food and Farming and we want to encourage young people to think about where their food comes from and how much effort it takes for it to reach their plate.
"We also hope they will find the experience great fun. The response we have had so far has been extremely positive and it is turning out to be a very rewarding experience for everyone involved."
Thirty five schools from across the region have been given seeds to grow peas, potatoes, carrots, onions, lettuce, courgette, radish, broad beans and tomatoes. The seeds can either be grown in pots or gardens on the school's premises, or at Bishop Burton College if the school prefers.
Schools taking part in the Driffield area include
Brandesburton County Primary School,
Burton Agnes CE Primary School,
Driffield CE Infant School,
Driffield Junior School,
Garton-on-the-Wolds CE Primary School,
Hutton Cranswick Community Primary School,
Kings Mill School,
Lockington CE Primary School,
Nafferton Primary School,
Sledmere CE Primary School and
Wold Newton Foundation School.
The final of the competition will be held at the Driffield Show on July 16, when entrants must supply a basket of their vegetables and a poster they have created depicting the growing experience.
Another element of the competition involves schools submitting some of their own peas to Birds Eye for testing and freezing. The best plate of frozen peas on the day will also be judged and entrants could win £400 of prizes donated by Birds Eye and The Green Pea Company.
Those schools with the best vegetable baskets and posters will be in line to win prizes to the value of £600, donated by Waitrose.
Tickets for the Driffield Show are available from the Driffield Agricultural Society office, tel (01377) 257494.
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