Grow Your Own Potatoes initiative supplies 8,000 growing kits to schools in England, Scotland and Wales
09.04.2024
Launched in 2005, Grow Your Own Potatoes (GYOP) was one of the first primary school based growing projects. Since then, it has become the largest of its kind with over 6 million children taking part, learning where potatoes come from, how they grow and the nutritional benefits they offer.
Following their success at the British Potato Awards, where they were announced winners of the Best Marketing Work/Marketing Campaign, the same category that BASF was listed as a finalist for the Perfecting Potatoes Together initiative, we caught up with Sue Lawton, who runs GYOP, to find out more.
“In 2004 alarming research revealed that many children believed potatoes grew on trees. The industry was quick to act and with the support of the Potato Council, which then became AHDB, Grow Your Own Potatoes was established.
“The initiative supplies primary schools with free growing kits, so children can follow the full growing cycle. To help demonstrate the versatility of the crop, they receive two seed varieties kindly donated by Cygnet PB and IPM – a red and a white – along with full instructions, a calendar with key dates, and themed resources. With 2024 commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, this year children are being encouraged to harvest their potatoes and use them for a “spud-tacular” event to coincide with the historical occasion in June.
“Schools that register before the end of January, receive their packs in time to start chitting in February and planting in March. This year 8,000 free growing kits have been sent to schools in England, Scotland and Wales. We have also been able to extend our reach into schools across Northern Ireland thanks to a strategic partnership with McCreight’s Potatoes in Co Down, enabling us to overcome logistical challenges. This means we are now in a position to support even more primary school children.”
One of the challenges GYOP faces is securing funding and support to fulfil the high demand. While GYOP is proud to be working with more than 17 partners and sponsors escalating postage costs pose a persistent challenge
In 2023 to help mitigate this they decided to remove the growing bags from the kits, enabling more schools to get involved. Yet, Sue remains vigilant in seeking more partnerships so they can offer the complete kit in 2025, along with a few new items.
“GYOP really appeals to all children, the ability to get hands-on and learn practical skills, whilst also growing food that they can relate to, ignites a new sense of enthusiasm and excitement for school."
“Research indicates that children who have taken part in growing their own potatoes, are more likely to eat them. They go home and tell their family about what they have planted, or harvested, and then ask for potatoes for lunch or dinner. Whilst the project is very much about connecting children with their food, it brings with it benefits for our producers and retailers too, as it can influence household shopping positively."
“Some schools cook their crop and others bag them up to sell them. So again, they are learning new skills by understanding the value of potatoes, and we support this by providing easy-to-follow recipes on our website.”
As GYOP looks ahead, Sue plans to incorporate sustainability messages by including wildflower seeds in GYOP kits, fostering environmental awareness. This initiative aims to educate students about the importance of bees in pollination and highlight farmers' efforts in planting wildflower meadows.
To find out more about Grow Your Own Potatoes, visit north_east https://growyourownpotatoes.org.uk/
