Jazzy potato project is not half-baked
met to collect their potato resources Pupils at schools in Perth and Kinross will soon begin learning about the origins of the food they eat.
The Mr Jazzy Potato Project, organised by the Perth and Kinross initiative of the Royal Highland Educational Trust (RHET) and sponsored by WCF Horticulture, encourages classes to grow and harvest their own potatoes from scratch.
More than 900 pupils are taking part in the project, which was launched this month.
Teachers attended a briefing session and collected their Jazzy seed potatoes, Haddo grow bag and compost – all donated by WCF, a leading packer and supply chain manager to the horticultural sector, specialising in seed potatoes.
Potato viewing pots – a pot with viewing windows so pupils can watch the potatoes develop and grow – have also been donated.
The classes will now spend four months caring for the potatoes before a visit from a RHET volunteer who will assist with the harvesting, counting and weighing.
Miriam Doe, seed manager of WCF Horticulture, said:“The Mr Jazzy Potato Project is fun and educational covering a range of learning outcomes.
“Pupils are very much hands-on and enjoy learning how to grow potatoes and how they fit into a healthy balanced diet.”
In addition, schools are visited by RHET’s own‘Potato Professor’John Marshall who will talk pupils through how potatoes grow, how they are farmed, different varieties and their health benefits.
Alix Ritchie, project coordinator at The Royal Highland Educational Trust Perth and Kinross, said:“We have had great support from the teachers who are all very enthusiastic about the project.”