Farm-to-fork initiative for pupils seeks backing from businesses

Businesses have been urged to support an initiative which helps children learn how food travels from farm to fork.

The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) Fife Countryside Initiative has given generations of schoolchildren an insight into agricultural and livestock farming through interactive sessions.

More than 150 pupils descended on Barns Farm in Dalgety Bay last week to see workers in action.

Carole Brunton from RHET said children benefited hugely from outdoor learning but it was becoming increasingly difficult to raise enough funds to keep the project running.

“It’s a concern because we rely almost wholly on funding from sources other than the Scottish Parliament,” she said.

“Donations from businesses and trusts are crucial.”

RHET is run largely by volunteers and over the last year has arranged 119 farm visits and 134 classroom talks across Fife.

“It’s such a rich experience to see the delight and wonder on children’s faces as they see, many for the first time, how a farm actually works and where their food comes from,” said Carole.

“The visits are so popular we book up places within an hour of telling schools the next event is planned. The kids love it.”

She said as they are largely staffed by volunteers, most of their funds are spent on simply transporting the children to the farms by bus – and hiring portable toilets.

Lesley Laird, MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, said: “I would urge businesses who like to sponsor worthwhile local initiatives to get in touch with RHET and give them support.”