Children more farm aware

ONE of the greatest challenges facing British farmers, that of lack of knowledge about where our food comes from, looks to be diminishing with a new survey of children showing increasing awareness of agriculture.

A survey of 1,500 children by the Riverford organisation showed that on average, children aged 3-11 recognised more than 80 per cent of fruit and vegetables.

The vegetables children were asked to identify included commonly available carrots, potatoes and broccoli, as well as the more unusual kohl rabi, globe artichokes and fennel.

Three quarters of children said they eat at least half of the fruit and veg; four per cent said they eat them all; and only five per cent said they eat less than a quarter of them.

Peter Richardson, farmer at Riverford's Home Farm in Newby Wiske, said: "We're really encouraged that not all children think milk comes from cartons or tomatoes in tins.

"We've always thought that the more engaged you are with your food, the more likely you are to eat it."

Riverford delivers organic vegetable boxes across Yorkshire and the North East.

CW 16/10/10