WCF Horticulture, a leading packer and supply chain manager to the horticultural sector, specialising in seed potatoes, are helping local schools around Perth and Kinross to dig deep in a bid to educate them about the origins of the food they eat.

The Potato Project, organised by the Perth & Kinross Initiative of the Royal Highland Educational Trust (RHET) and sponsored by WCF Horticulture, encourages classes to grow and harvest their own potatoes from scratch. This year there are over 2000 pupils taking part in the project across 50 schools, which aims to show the children the gradually unfolding story of the spud and how food and farming are linked.

The project was launched this week when teachers attended an online briefing session and then a resource collection drive through to collect their Jazzy seed potatoes, compost and fertiliser. The classes will now spend four months caring for the potatoes culminating in a visit from a RHET volunteer who will assist with the harvesting, counting and weighing of the potatoes. Throughout this time RHET Perth & Kinross’s famous volunteer, Professor Potato John Marshall will also visit classes, sharing his knowledge, passion and experience from a lifetime in the Potato trade.

“Potatoes, a top global food are eaten in many amazing ways. They are often taken for granted and don’t just miraculously appear on the supermarket shelves. They are grown by farmers. In this RHET potato growing project young minds will learn in a hands on and exciting way how these very nutritious potatoes are produced.” John Marshall (RHET Perth & Kinross Committee Member)

Miriam Methven, Business Manager of WCF Horticulture, said “Jazzy is a premium salad variety which is making a big impact on the UK Potato Scene. Jazzy is already a fun brand which really engaged the children last year and they particularly enjoyed the prolific nature of the variety. The Mr Jazzy Potato Project is fun and educational covering a range of learning outcomes. Pupils are very much hands-on and enjoy learning how to grow potatoes and how they fit into a healthy balanced diet”.

Tara Clark, Project Coordinator at The Royal Highland Educational Trust Perth & Kinross said “We have had great support from the teachers who are all very enthusiastic about the project and we are over the moon to have been able to reach our biggest audience ever with over 200 pupils involved.”