News

Leading food quality assurance scheme Red Tractor is launching a UK-wide initiative to showcase how food makes its way from farms to the Olympics.

The initiative following recognition achieved by the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme when it was named an integral part of Food Vision for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games, a document produced by the organising group LOCOG.

Starting on April 30, ‘Team RT’ is a five-day, UK-wide event aimed at schoolchildren. It will use Red Tractor champion farmers to showcase the work and quality standards that go into producing food that is being supplied on the world’s-stage, the 2012 Olympic Games.

Six champion Red Tractor farmers will showcase six farming sectors (dairy, beef and lamb, poultry, fresh produce, crops and pigs) to educate children on how their food is produced and how it makes its way onto Olympic menus under the Red Tractor Assurance scheme.

Each of the six regional events will integrate a local school class to educate on farming methods and the route the food takes through the food chain.

Team RT will be planning the ‘Farmer Potato Games’, as well as activities and educational farming resources for children to help ensure they enjoy their day on the farm.

Among those taking part is Hornbuckle Farm near Slough in Berkshire where farmer Wiliam Emmett is supplying wheat to make the bread that Olympians will be eating.

A full size real red tractor will visit each farm to help drive home the important farming messages behind Team RT.

Richard Cattell, Head of Marketing and Communications, at Red Tractor Assurance, said: “We are extremely proud to be a part of the largest peace-time catering operation in the world.

“We want to increase national awareness of Red Tractor farmers and establish a food legacy inspiring children to understand where their food comes from.

“Millions of UK shoppers eat Red Tractor food at affordable prices purchased from their supermarkets or whilst eating out, all year round. The Red Tractor logo is a guarantee that food and drink meets strict standards of food safety and traceability, care for the environment and animal welfare.”

Red Tractor will be launching a Team RT microsite TeamRT.org.uk and throughout the week will be posting Team RT updates online to include fun daily videos, interesting and factual links, fun resources for children to download and daily activity posts via their social media platforms, Facebook ‘Red Tractor’ and Twitter @RedTractorFood.