23 May 2012

3 minute read

Europe

The event brought local schools to the farms giving over 150 children across the country the first-hand experience of where their food comes from, and the journey of food from Red Tractor farms to Olympic venues.

The five day tour was launched at Olympic rowing venue, Eton Dorney and during the week covered the breadth of the UK including England, Scotland and Wales. The 7 Red Tractor Champion farmers helped to educate local schools about the hard work and effort that they are putting into providing food for the biggest peace-time catering operation in the world. The events were amplified by great national and regional media coverage which included ITV and BBC Radio, helping to spread the word about the important role that farmers are playing this summer.

Richard Cattell, Head of Marketing and Communications at Red Tractor Assurance, the UK’s leading quality food assurance mark, said: “This campaign has helped to highlight the important role that Red Tractor farmers play in food production. Most importantly the activity has helped reconnect children with where their food comes from and the story from farm to Olympics has proved a great way to illustrate the route of food.

"Red Tractor farmers know their produce, why it’s important and why it’s best. Our 7 champion farmers were fantastic ambassadors to showcase their food and open up their farm gates to local school children to give valuable insight into farming."

Harry Irwin, Red Tractor chicken champion from Norfolk commented: “Our chickens are raised to world class standards under the Red Tractor scheme and it’s only fitting that our world class athletes get the best food to fuel them to the finish line. I’m proud to be part of Team RT which has helped to educate local children about the importance of where their food comes from.”

The week’s events featured in media around the country including ITV Anglia, ITV Central, several BBC radio stations and key regional titles including Nottingham Post, Scottish Farmer, Newcastle Journal and Eastern Daily Press to name a few. Thousands of people engaged with the campaign via social media platforms under the hashtag #TeamRT. The entire trip was available to follow and interact on www.teamRT.org.uk

The farms who took part in Team RT were:

• 30 April - William Emmett, Hornbuckle Farm, East Berkshire (Wheat) http://hornbucklelivery.co.uk/default.aspx
• 30 April – Harry Erwin, Rectory Farm, Suffolk (Poultry)
• 1 May – Stephen Hobbs Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire (Beef)
• 1 May – Alistair & Stuart Butler, Blythburgh Farm, Suffolk http://www.freerangepork.co.uk/ (Pork)
• 2 May - Tom Campbell, Ayrshire, Scotland, http://www.firstmilk.co.uk/our-company/directors/tom-campbell.html (Dairy)
• 3 May – Jon Hammond, T Hammond & Sons, Nottingham, http://www.sherwoodproduce.co.uk/farmers/details.php?id=7 (Fresh Produce)
• 4 May – Hugh & Richard Tudor, Nantyrhafod Farm, Staylittle, Llanbrynmair, Powys SY19 7DB (Lamb)

For more information please contact [email protected] / [email protected] (020 3176 0538) or visit www.teamrt.org.uk.

TheCattleSite News Desk