Manawatu supplier sowing its seeds wide

A Manawatu business has got on board with a nationwide organisation to encourage Kiwi kids to learn about planting and harvesting crops.

Fiesta Bulbs has announced its new partnership with Garden to Table, a charity enabling New Zealand school children to experience growing and cooking their own produce in a school environment.

Managing director John Harrison said the company was delighted to share its passion for spuds as a partner of the Garden to Table programme.

‘‘We love to see children growing their own in the garden, especially potatoes, so it made perfect sense for us to get on board.

‘‘Potatoes are easy and fun for kids to grow, not just because they taste great, but at harvest time it’s like a treasure hunt digging up the potatoes. For us this partnership also means our customers and suppliers can feel good when they purchase from our seed potato range, knowing they are giving something back to kiwi kids and a great initiative.’’

The Garden to Table programme has been running for eight years and is committed to changing the way children approach and think about food. It allowed children aged between seven and twelve to get their hands dirty as they learnt how to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, seasonal food.

Garden to Table executive officer Linda Taylor said they were excited to work with Fiesta Bulbs.

‘‘The children really do love growing potatoes and it is a good vegetable for them to take home and show the family how easy they are to grow. Plus with so many ways to cook them, it gives children plenty of opportunities to be involved in the kitchen both at school and at home, which is something we love to see.’’

Last week Fiesta shipped packs of their new range of European seed potatoes to 40 schools in the programme for children to grow this season.