FOOD DIRECT FROM THE FARM

Promoting Quality Food

 

Find out about the Schools Food Challenge here

 

Food Direct from the Farm succinctly describes the food now consumed at the East of Engalnd Showground, whether for a Gala dinner, a conference or a consumer event.

Since its launch in 2003 by the Society to promote British Agriculture by sourcing all of the produce used in the Showground's indoor and outdoor catering operations from local farmers and food producers, the initiative currently supports over 30 local businesses from across the region and is continuing to expand.

In an aim to become the Home of British Food and following the successful launch of the Society's mobile catering unit, The Outdoor Kitchen, a catering wholesale operation at the Showground has been developed. Since then, the initiative has generated a considerable amount of media interest and was awarded Highly Commended at the Business Farming Awards in November 2005.

With over 800,000 visitors coming through the gates of the Showground each year, people will be guaranteed to eat locally sourced, fresh produce that is of the highest quality and best value.

Supporting Food Direct from the Farm means helping promote:-

  • British Farming and the Countryside
  • Rural Life and the Environment
  • Fabulous Local and Regional Food

By choosing to eat locally produced British Food you can:-

  1. Help Improve the Environment We Live In - Buying locally means cutting down on food miles - the distance from farm to fork, helping to reduce pollution and create a better environment. The majority of Food Direct from the Farm suppliers fall within a 30 mile radius of the Showground
  2. Promote Great Tasting Food - Unlock your tastebuds! Imported food grown for the UK market is often harvested early, left to ripen artificially and uses large amounts of chemicals for preservation, often resulting in bland tasting food.
  3. Put Something Back Into the Local Economy - Choosing to source foods locally will help regenerate the local economy and save rural communities which are in danger of disappearig as local farmers and shops struggle to compete in a global market place. Food Direct from the Farm is expected to put at least £500,000 back into the local food economy each year.
  4. Get Better Value for Money - Often perceived as more expensive, food direct from the farm is by far more nutritious than processed food, ensuring the food you eat is free from additives, artifical colourings and fully traceable.
  5. Support Animal Welfare - Brtiain is recognised as having some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. Buying British helps maintain these standards ensuring the animals that produce the food we eat are well looked after.

Local suppliers include

MEAT & POULTRY

  • Grasmere Farm, Deeping St James – Bacon, Sausages
  • Briston Fen, Kings Lynn – Aberdeen Angus Beef, Beefburgers
  • Woburn Country Foods, Milton Keynes – Bacon, Beefburgers, Lamb, Pork, Sausages, Turkey

 

DAIRY

  • Plant Eggs, Bainton – Eggs
  • Bridge Fine Foods, St Ives – A Selection of British Cheeses
  • Peterborough Dairies, Peterborough – Milk, Cream
  • Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream Ltd, Yorkshire – Real Dairy Ice Cream

 

FRUIT & VEGETABLES

  • Lutton Farm, Oundle - Strawberries
  • Edible Ornamentals, Chillies, Peppers, Cucumbers
  • Ulmas Farm, Chesterton - Peppers
  • Russell Farm Produce Limited, Wisbech - Vegetables

 

DRINK

  • Bramley and Gage, South Devon
  • English Wine Service, Devon
  • James White Drinks, Ipswich – Apple Juice, Elderflower Presse
  • Jo Hilditch Cassis, Herefordshire

 

OTHER

    • Taste of Old Traditional Bakery, Peterborough – Bread using English flour
    • Mr Pitchfork’s Pickles & Preserves, Nottingham – A Selection of Pickles and Preserves
    • British Sugar, Peterborough – Sugar
    • Munns Rapeseed Oil, Cambridgeshire
    • Hillfarm Oils, Suffolk – Rapeseed Oil
    • Maldon Crystal Salt Company Ltd, Essex
    • Fairfield Farm Chips, Colchester – Crisps
    • Narborough Trout & Coarse Lakes, Kings Lynn


    If you are interested in becoming a supplier, contact:-
    Sandra Lauridsen
    Telephone 01733 234451
    Fax 01733 370038
    email slauridsen@eastofengland.org.uk

     

    Schools Food Challenge:

    The Food Direct from the Farm Schools Food Challenge presents an exciting opportunity for students in years 9 and 10 and xl Clubs to enhance their curricular studies and catering knowledge by taking part in one of the most established and exciting schools competitions in the region.

    Now in its 17th year and organised by the East of England Agricultural Society as part of its educational programme, the Food Direct from the Farm Schools Food Challenge has been developed to:-

    • Promote food nutrition and develop culinary skills
    • Highlight the benefits of using British and locally sourced produce
    • Create a rewarding experience for students within an exciting environment, giving them an opportunity to take part in a live cooking event at the East of England Show
    • Generate publicity and celebrate the achievements of students, schools and xl clubs

    THE CHALLENGE

    To prepare "2 courses for £10" with the theme of 'Word Food' ’ following the Eatwell plate guidelines, comprising Main Course and Starter or Dessert, in teams of four, in 45 minutes with 15 minutes preparation time, using produce of British origin, sourced locally wherever possible.

    If you are entering more than one team, you will be responsible for judging your preliminary rounds. From Tuesday 2nd Mayl over a 4 week period we will be coming out to schools to judge your final entry in the Food Challenge. Eight finalists will be selected to go through to the Grand Final held at the East of England Showon Friday 6th July 2012.

    THE AWARDS

    The school team awarded the highest number of points from all aspects of the Challenge in the Grand Final will be presented with the prestigious Schools Food Challenge Trophy together with a cheque for £250.

    The Prince’s Trust xl Club awarded the highest number of points from all aspects of the Challenge will be presented with The Prince of Wales Trophy and a cheque for £250.

    All students competing in the Final Challenge will receive a family ticket for entry to the Show. Runners up and finalists will be presented with certificates.

    INGREDIENTS

    All ingredients must be provided by the School. A grant of £10 per team will be made by the Agricultural Society as a contribution towards the cost of the ingredients

    For more information please email slauridsen@eastofengland.org.uk or call 01733 234451

     

    Hot Cake News!

    The Schools Food Challenge has redesigned it's christmas theme and now includes a Junior Schools Seasonal Festive Cake Challenge. This competition is open to Junior Schools in the region to devise a mouth-watering cake recipe which will be sold at the Christmas Festival.

    The Challenge,which takes over from the Junior Schools Soup Challenge, will encourage younger children to think about flavour combinations as well as local and seasonal foods. The finalists will come to the Showground’s kitchens to advise the chefs who will cook their recipes. Three cakes will then be selected for sale at the Christmas Festival, with the profits from the sale going to the winning schools.

     

 
East of England Agricultural Society, East of England Showground, Peterborough PE2 6XE
Tel: 01733 234451 • Fax: 01733 370038 • Email: info@eastofengland.org.uk Site design by Touchware