The journey of food from field to fork

ASK any child where their food comes from and they will probably reply "from the supermarket."

But do they know that their burger started life as a cow grazing on a meadow or that their cakes are made with eggs from chickens living in wooden barns?

One farmer in Gloucestershire is trying to change all that and teach children that food starts in the fields.

St Augustines Farm, in Arlingham, is a family run organic farm that opens its gates to schools and families to show them how a farm works and where food begins.

Rob Jewell, owner of the farm that has been in his family for six generations, is keen to get children closer to nature and let them experience rural life.

"Sometimes children cannot believe the size of the animals," said Rob. "Or they are surprised to see an egg from a chicken, because they think; where is the egg box?

"I sometimes cannot believe it because some adults have never stepped foot on a farm. Even village children living near the countryside have sometimes not been to a farm either."

St Augustines Farm, which is part of the Soil Association Organic Farm Network, is becoming more and more popular with schools and families as healthy, seasonal eating has become a big issue.

The farm takes children from all over Gloucestershire and Bristol to show them the journey of food from field to fork.

"It is important for children to know where their food comes from," continued Rob, who supplies supermarkets with organic milk.

"If you can eat organic, local and fresh then you are really on your way. Many children just think their food comes from the supermarket and don't think any further than that.

"It amazes them just to see us milking the cows."

The farm is open Tuesday - Sunday 11am - 5pm during term time and every day in school holidays. Visit the farms website a www.staugustinesfarm.co.uk for more details.

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