Market Rasen School Gets ‘Top Pot’ In National Awards.

24 September, 19

Growing 3,800 grams of spuds in less than three months, a Lincolnshire primary school has secured the top spot in the national Grow Your Own Potatoes (GYOP) competition.

Competing against almost half a million primary school pupils in England, Scotland and Wales, 70 children from Market Rasen dug deepest, chitting, growing and harvesting almost 225g more potatoes than any other school in Britain.

Potato variety Rocket performed best for the school, with growth fuelled by a special ingredient.

“Reducing food waste is really important, so we decided to mix used coffee from the filter machine into the soil to help them grow. That could be the secret to our success,”

said Rita Griggs, Teaching Assistant at Faldingworth Community Primary School.

“The children particularly enjoyed harvesting and finding the potatoes hidden in the soil. All kids should know where their food comes from and how it grows. Grow Your Own Potatoes is a great, fun way to teach this.”

On behalf of farmers and growers, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), organises the free activity for schools, which can now register to take part in GYOP 2020.

AHDB Education Manager Sue Lawton, said:

“While the competition is great fun, we’re also educating children on how potatoes fit into a healthy, balanced diet, where they come from and how they grow.

“We had a fantastic uptake with almost 16,000 kits sent out to primary schools all hoping to win the top spot, or one of the 10 regional prizes up for grabs. Growing kits are limited so don’t miss out and sign up now for 2020.”

To find out more about Grow Your Own Potatoes visit growyourownpotatoes.org.uk.

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