Yorkshire Food

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society - Supporting Regional Food

The importance of using locally sourced food cannot be over emphasised, says Nigel Pulling, Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Since its formation back in 1837, one of the Society's aims has been to support the farming industry as producers of the nation's food.

"Over the last decade it is clear that as a nation we want to be better informed about how our food is produced and farmers are now very aware of the need to provide what their customers want," says Mr Pulling. "Quality is a key factor and traceability is also important and here in Yorkshire we produce some of the finest food in the country.

"The growth in popularity of Farmers Markets is a clear indication that customers want to engage with those who produce their food," he says. In March the Society was delighted to support the deliciouslyorkshire Food Exhibition held in Leeds which was a superb showcase for local produce.

Countryside Live: Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 October 2008

*Deliciouslyorkshire will be a major feature of this year's Countryside Live, which was launched in 2003 as the Society's autumn event, and was immediately hailed as a great success. Under the banner of "the best of the outside inside," it presented food from field to fork. Livestock classes were complemented by food stands and the extremely popular Yorkshire Life Cookery Theatre which featured regional celebrity chefs and also gave youngsters the chance to try their hand at creating imaginative dishes. Also, to stress the importance of using local food, producers were on hand to talk to the audience and explain exactly how the food they provide makes its way literally from field to fork.

Food became an even greater focus at last year's event and will now be run under the title the Countryside Live. Dates are Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October 2008. The Yorkshire Life Cookery Theatre will again be a major feature with top chefs creating innovative and creative dishes - with the emphasis very much on Yorkshire produce. 

*deliciouslyorkshire is the brand representing food excellence within the region, and is an initiative of The Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber.

National Breakfast Week 2008
 
More than 100 schoolchildren enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and learned just why it is the most important meal of the day, courtesy of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
 
The special event on Tuesday, 22 January, was arranged as part of the organisation’s support of National Farmhouse Breakfast Week. Around 118 pupils from St Robert’s Catholic Primary School in Harrogate took part in a series of workshops which highlighted the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast and the importance of good quality, regional food.
 
The seven to 11-year-olds also examined their own eating habits, and found cereal and milk was the most popular start to the day, closely followed by toast. Just four pupils had eaten nothing for their breakfast.
 
As well as learning about milk and dairy products with Sarah Kalkowski of Hazel Brow Farm in Richmond, North Yorkshire, the children met some of the farm hens and enjoyed hearing more about poultry and eggs from her colleague, Amanda Fuller.
 
George Hamilton of Growing Routes explained how crops such as barley and corn ended up on our breakfast tables, while the team from Metcalfe Organics of Aldborough, near Boroughbridge, introduced the group to a range of delicious fruit and vegetables.
 
Grant and Mark Burton of JH & M Burton of Wilberfoss, York, demonstrated the art of sausage-making, and the pupils – and their teachers – enjoyed the end results as part of their breakfast, along with cereals, local milk and fruit. The sausage and bacon baps were cooked by members of Ladies in Pigs, an organisation promoting the quality and versatility of British pork and pork products.
 
Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “The morning was a great success. The children learned more about exactly where their food comes from - in Yorkshire we have farmers who work hard to ensure we have the very best produce to put on our tables.
 
“The Society is dedicated to promoting the quality and availability of fantastic local food, and Farmhouse Breakfast Week is a wonderful opportunity to do so.
 
“Children also need to learn how vital it is to eat good quality, healthy food in order to grow and develop properly. A good breakfast sets them up for the day and improves concentration, which will benefit their education.”