Bring home the harvest

Young people from across the country are being invited to play an integral part in British Food Fortnight 2014 which takes place between 21 September- 6 October.

The Bring Home the Harvest Campaign are calling on schools and youth groups to create a harvest box that celebrates the food produced in their part of the UK.

Each harvest box needs to contain fruit and vegetables the children have grown themselves and a selection of food from local producers in their part of the country.  The boxes will play a starring role at the annual national harvest service, to be held this year in Birmingham Cathedral on the 20 October.

Boxes might contain vegetables from your schools allotment or herbs grown in windowsills and hanging baskets; delicious treats such as harvest loaves or bramble jelly made using local flour or fruit you have picked yourself; and products from local cheese, meat and vegetable producers.

Children will be invited to the national harvest service where the boxes will take pride of place.  The display in Birmingham Cathedral will be admired by a host of VIPs and afterwards, the produce will be donated to a local charity.

You can apply online to take part until the 24 July 2014 at www.lovebritishfood.co.uk where you can also find plenty of ideas and tips on planning and producing your harvest box. Your activities can take place in after school clubs, during activities weeks, at home, or as part of the curriculum.

The Bring Home the Harvest for British Food Fortnight campaign is aimed at bringing together communities from across the UK to help rekindle the age-old tradition of celebrating the harvest.

This year they are supported by Tesco who have pledged to help improve the next generation’s relationship with food over the next 20 years. Together they are hoping to encourage more communities, more schools and more young people across the country to get involved and celebrate the Harvest in style.

The winners of the category for schools and young people will receive an action-packed gardening workshop with Chris Collins and cookery equipment from Tesco Home Range.

To find out how you can take part, download promotional material, sign up for monthly updates on the latest British food news and for details of what is happening near you, see www.lovebritishfood.co.uk or email info@lovebritishfood.co.uk