Young farmers challenged to find new British recipe ideas

A new challenge to find six of the best budget-busting recipes that use British produce has been launched by The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC).

The competition is in response to a target within the government’s food strategy that secondary schoolchildren leave school knowing how to cook at least six healthy recipes.

Young farmers are being asked to share affordable, nutritious recipe ideas that can help feed the nation using sustainable British produce, as part of the NFYFC’s #HomeGrown campaign to support domestic agriculture.

See also: Young farmers vote to source and better promote British food

This is a topic the NFYFC addressed in response to the National Food Strategy consultation, and also backs up a motion to promote British food and farming that was made by members at the organisation’s AGM earlier this year.

The challenge is open to NFYFC’s 22,000 members across England and Wales, who are aged between 10 and 28.

Each suggested recipe that is entered into the challenge needs to include enough ingredients to make a dish that will feed four people and must not cost more than £1.50 a head.

Produce used in the recipes must be locally sourced or demonstrate sustainable production and YFC members must submit their recipe ideas online by the 18 September.

TV presenter Chris Bavin, from the BBC’s Eat Well for Less? programme, will help judge and decide the six best recipes, along with NFYFC president Nigel Owens.

Mr Bavin said: “With pressures on food security and the high cost of living, this challenge is an ideal way to make more people aware of great British produce and how easy and affordable it can be to cook from scratch.

“It’s important that we celebrate British farming and encourage the nation to buy British produce as their first choice.

“I’m excited about supporting this challenge and seeing what recipe ideas young farmers suggest.”

The results will be announced during National Young Farmers’ Week (17-21 October).

YFC members will be encouraged to share their recipe ideas on social media during the week, to help promote the #HomeGrown campaign.

Oxbury Bank, the only UK bank dedicated to British agriculture, is sponsoring the week this year and backing NFYFC’s campaign.