News article

20 June 2012

'Tattie Tastic' shortlisted for Partnership Excellence Awards

Back to list of articles

PRESS RELEASE

'Tattie Tastic', an innovative educational project between Scottish based seed potato company, Agrico UK, and its local school, Glamis Primary, has been shortlisted in Angus Council's Partnership Excellence Awards.

'Tattie Tastic' supports 'A Curriculum for Excellence', and enables pupils to gain a better understanding of the production and processing of food and also to gain practical skills via real life experiences and active engagement with industry.

So far, pupils involved in the project have had a series of interactive lessons led by Agrico, to teach them all about potatoes – from farm to fork, including growing their own potatoes and marketing them. The project will conclude with a cook-off when the children will have the opportunity to both cook and eat the potatoes they have grown.

Participants in Tattie Tastic have found that the programme has provided them with a multitude of new skills including for both life and work. Pupils have also learnt just how qualified staff at Agrico are and the level of training required to work in the industry. Staff at Agrico have also reported benefits such as increased pride in their organisation and in encouraging young people to consider a future in food.

The Award's judges describe the project as: “a fantastic example of partnership working between education and the wider community, which has made a significant impact on the learning experience of young people and a lasting contribution to the life of the school and employees”.

Tattie Tastic is one of the many partnerships set up by the Scottish Food and Drink Federation's (SFDF) as part of its schools programme – A Future in Food, which creates mutually beneficial educational relationships between schools and the food industry to facilitate learning and awareness of future employment opportunities ranging from plant pathology to production management, agronomy to storage expertise, marketing to sales.

The winner of the Partnership Excellence Award will be announced at the Partnership Recognition Event, on Tuesday 28th August 2012 at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel.

Moira Stalker, National Coordinator for SFDF's A Future in Food said:

“We are absolutely delighted that Tattie Tastic has been shortlisted. It's a great project that has produced significant benefits for all involved. Using the food industry as a context for learning is a great way to give young people an insight into both the industry and the world of work. By opening the doors to our industry, we are encouraging young people to think about a career in the industry by giving them an understanding of the wide variety of jobs available.”

Archie McGibbon Executive Director, Agrico UK said:

“It has been a privilege to partner Glamis Primary School on year one of Tattie Tastic in collaboration with the Scottish Food & Drink Federations, “A future in Food “, programme."

" The children have been a delight to have around and are a credit to their schools and families. We all know the misconceptions associated with where milk and eggs come from etc , well telling the story of the humble potato, the third most important food crop in the world is no less compelling. Everyone who has been involved with this project have commented upon the way the children have embraced the range and scope of the project from growing their own potatoes to measuring carbohydrate in the laboratory, designing marketing posters and conducting sensory evaluation taste tests. We look forward to many more years introducing our young people to where food comes through Tattie Tastic.”

Jayne Ferguson, Head Teacher at Glamis Primary School said:

“Our involvement with Agrico has brought real inspiration to our pupils and had made their learning interesting, fun and engaging. Throughout the project they have become more motivated about their learning and for many of them has boosted their confidence as a result of the success they have achieved. Agrico has provided a unique perspective for our pupils and staff.”

Notes to Editors:

  1. The Scottish Food and Drink and Federation is the voice of the Scottish food and drink manufacturing industry – Scotland's largest manufacturing sector. For more information about SFDF and the industry we represent visit: www.sfdf.org.uk.
  2. Further information on SFDF's schools programme A Future in Food,
  3. Images available for download from FDF's Flickr page.

More information

FDF press Team:

Nicki Hunt on or 020 7420 7132 - nicki.hunt@fdf.org.uk
Rebeca Wilhelm or 020 7420 7140 - rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk
Avni Raval or 020 7420 7131 - Avni.Raval@fdf.org.uk
Anna Taylor or 020 7420 7118 - anna.taylor@fdf.org.uk

Back to list of articles