NFU PROVIDES FOOD FOR THOUGHT AT THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND SHOW

Consumers can learn more about their food during the South of England Show in West Sussex this month (June 10/12, 2010).

Visitors to the Meet The Farmer barn and farmyard beside the Blue Gate on the Ardingly showground will discover how farmers provide quality food and care for the countryside. East Sussex farmer Clarissa Hallings Pott, who chairs the NFU/South of England Agricultural Society committee behind the exhibit, says: “The theme of our exhibit this year is ‘Food For Thought’ and people can expect to find out the stories behind the food on our plates. On offer will be tastings of local food, especially freshly-baked bread and pizzas, and other simple summer dishes that feature produce from the stand. Among the highlights of our exhibit is the farmyard, complete with commercial breeds of livestock, a bee-keeping display, and commonly-grown crops.” Quick meals made with fresh, seasonal ingredients will be demonstrated by trainee chefs from Central Sussex College, Crawley, in West Sussex. Cooks will use Sussex Gold rapeseed oil from farmer John Ford of Partridge Green, West Sussex. Likely to feature on the menu will be Applesham beef and lamb from the South Downs near Lancing, along with strawberry smoothies and Sussex cheeses. There is also a chance to see rapeseed being crushed to produce oil which has a variety of uses. A fabulous, patriotic montage of fruit and vegetables, in the shape of the Union Jack, will have been put together by the award-winning West Sussex farm retailer - Tulley’s Farm Shop of Turners Hill, West Sussex. For children the NFU is offering activity packs and free salad seeds. Visitors can collect literature from the NFU on Why Farming Matters to the South East, on seasonal foods and how to buy British food bearing the red tractor mark. Available to visitors is a free Atlas of Local Meat Producers, which includes listings of local producers, and seasonal recipes – it is published by NFU and South East Food Group Partnership www.southeastenglandfoodandrink.co.uk m/f… NFU PROVIDES FOOD FOR THOUGHT AT THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND SHOW CONT’D PG 2… Nothing can beat the smell of baking bread and baker, Anthony Kindred will be helping kids to knead dough and to bake unusually-shaped rolls. Youngsters can even mill wheat into flour and have a go at muesli making in ‘the cereals story’ area. The bakery and cereals exhibits are supported by the Home Grown Cereals Authority www.hgca.com There is also a chance to try butter-making in a small-scale churn - to demonstrate how butter was made, historically. Visitors can take part in a quiz that gives entry to a prize draw. They may also be asked to give views on the display and the importance of home-produced food. NFU South East PR Officer Isobel Bretherton Tel: 01730 711956/07778 002617 Notes To Editors: 1. The South of England Show in West Sussex is organised by the South of England Agricultural Society – www.seas.org.uk NFU South East, Unit 8, Rotherbrook Court, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 3QG Telephone: 01730 711950 ISDN: 01730 266023 Http://www.nfuonline.com

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