Young farmers will be blazing a trail for Great British Food for London 2012

24 Apr 2012 12:40 PM

With London 2012 fast approaching, The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs is teaming up with Natural England to run a series of cook-athons during the Olympic Torch Relay that will help celebrate the best of the country’s locally grown and sustainable produce.

The ‘Great British Food for Great British Athletes’ initiative will see members of Young Farmers' Clubs showcasing local British produce at cookery demonstrations and events during the Olympic Torch Relay.

From Windermere to Newham, YFC members will be situated at a number of the overnight torch stops across the country and cooking for the torch bearers along the route, as well as displaying their cookery skills as part of other locally organised events.

All the demonstrations will use locally sourced produce, reflecting the importance of sustainable food and promoting the role that British farmers are playing in growing sustainable, local food.

The idea is an evolution of the annual cookery competition that NFYFC have held for over 30 years; challenging clubs to come up with inventive meals using local produce and giving young people hands-on experience of food and cookery.

Mark Felton, Natural England’s Director for Land Management Development, said: “As well as their primary work of producing food, British farmers play a vital role as stewards of our countryside. The Olympic Torch Relay Cooking Demonstrations will be a truly marathon undertaking and one of the most ambitious events ever held by YFC members. It’s a golden opportunity for young farmers to enthuse and inspire local communities and young people across England about the role that they play in producing food and in the conservation and enhancement of our natural environment.

“Natural England is very supportive of the work of Young Farmers' Clubs and we are really pleased to able to be working with them and LOCOG in this exciting initiative. We are looking forward to some fun cooking events and delighted to be sharing in the excitement of the Olympic Torch Relay.”

NFYFC office holders, Helen Reeve and Claire Worden said: “An outcome of NFYFCs Agriculture Forum was to help promote British food and farming during the Olympic Games 2012. Two NFYFC steering groups have worked together to develop and deliver a project with Natural England to include as many YFC members as possible during the Olympic Torch Relay. We are excited and delighted to work in this way with Natural England.”

The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs

The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) is one of the largest youth organisations in the UK. It heads a nationwide body of 659 Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFCs) located throughout England and Wales dedicated to supporting young people in agriculture and the countryside. Their memberships comprise more than 22,000 members aged 10 to 26 and they provide a unique opportunity for members to develop skills, work with the local community, travel abroad, take part in a varied competitions programme and enjoy a dynamic social life. There are a further 1,100 associate members, many of whom are involved in the running of the clubs and NFYFC. For more information visit the NFYFC website.

About Natural England

Natural England is the government’s advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.

We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and advising on their conservation.
We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.

For further information (media enquiries only) please contact:
David Hirst, Natural England press office: david.hirst@naturalengland.org.uk