Potato Day hits off with school caterers and pupils

Activities such as 'Touch, see and smell' were held for the nursery class, and special potato stickers were given to the winners. The older pupils got a chance to see many different potato varieties on display and to learn some useful potato facts. The school teamed up with the British Potato Council (BPC) to provide a special resource pack, aimed at primary schools, to promote school lunches and encourage children to eat potatoes as part of a healthy balanced meal. Ten nutritionally balanced recipes were also available in the pack that had been specifically designed to appeal to school children. Catering manager for Beaconhurst, Carol Duffy, explained the varieties of potatoes available in the lunch menu: "The dishes we served up included: Potato & Leek Soup; Spanish Omelette, Spicy Wedges; and Baked Potatoes with lots of hot and cold fillings. Mashed, roast, croquette and sautéed potatoes were all also options as side dishes." A word search 'how many potatoes in the sack?' was also created for the children, as was a Macaroon Bar demonstration, which allowed kids to make dishes themselves. Heike Boelk, BPC marketing executive, explained their motive behind encouraging schools to hold their own themed day: "We hope to encourage more children to take up school lunches and also to get them enjoying potatoes as part of a healthy balanced diet. The pack has been designed so that Potato Days can actually become a regular feature on the school meal plan." Potato Day is also designed to help children understand the nutritional benefits of potatoes. It took place at Beaconhurst in December 2007 Weblink: www.potatoesforcaterers.co.uk