At Place UK, we’re passionate about helping young people understand where their food comes from and showcasing the many exciting career opportunities available within farming and food production.
Opening our doors to local schools and community groups is an important part of that commitment. By providing hands-on experiences, we hope to spark their curiosity and perhaps even inspire the next generation of growers, scientists, engineers and food industry professionals.
Over the years, we’ve welcomed a number of groups to our Tunstead site, including pupils from Tunstead Primary School, Coltishall Primary School and Wroxham Guides. These visits give young people the chance to experience modern British farming first-hand and see the journey from field to fork.
During a recent visit, pupils from Tunstead Primary School explored our growing tunnels, where around 1,500 tonnes of strawberries are harvested each year from
approximately 1.5 million plants. As well as learning how strawberries are grown and picked, they also enjoyed a tractor and trailer ride through the farm.
Our team also demonstrated some of the work we do to support biodiversity and local wildlife, including rewilding field margins to encourage wildflowers and create habitats for beneficial insects and birds. Understanding the relationship between farming and the environment is something we believe is vital for future generations.
Of course, no visit would be complete without the opportunity to pick strawberries, with each pupil taking home a punnet of freshly picked British berries.
Feedback from teachers and group leaders has highlighted the value of these experiences in bringing classroom learning to life and helping children make the connection between the food they eat and the people who produce it.
We look forward to welcoming more schools and community groups to Place UK soon.
