Farmers, food growers and producers, processors, distributors, retailers and caterers all have a key part to play in getting food onto the table, both in the school dining room and in the home.

It is therefore important that the whole of the food chain comes together to ensure children have an understanding of how their food is produced.

The Year of Food and Farming is a unique chance for young people to discover first-hand the fantastic careers that exist within food and farming. From science to business, animals to machinery, production to retail and hospitality, there’s a huge range of exciting careers to be explored across the food and farming sector.

The Year of Food and Farming aims to forge strong links between schools and food and farming businesses. Two of the main aspirations of the Year of Food and Farming are to ensure every primary school pupil has the opportunity to prepare at least one food plate and that every student will have the opportunity to undertake relevant work-related activities during his or her secondary school years. It is hoped that linked in with these aspirations the hospitality sector will support schools by:

• Helping with cooking activities in schools

• Offering work-related experience to young people • Going into schools to give talks about the different careers in the hospitality industry

• Add blogs to the Year of Food and Farming website so young people can find out more about the variety of opportunities within this sector

You can register for the Year of Food and Farming now by visiting www.yearoffoodandfarming.org.uk and join the hundreds of businesses and organisations already offering their support to young people as part of the Year’s activities.