Essex youngsters got to see farmers and what they produce up close today at an event aimed at educating them about where their food comes from.

East Anglian Daily Times: Schoolchildren at the Essex Schools Food and Farming Day at Writtle College.Schoolchildren at the Essex Schools Food and Farming Day at Writtle College. (Image: Archant)

Around 3,000 primary pupils from 60 schools across the county were at the annual Essex Schools Food and Farming Day, now in its ninth year.

The event is organised by Essex Agricultural Society, backed by Essex County Council and hosted by Writtle College at Chelmsford.

An army of farmers stewarded the event, which gave children the chance to see livestock and farm machinery up close and taste farm produce after learning of its journey from field to fork.

Rosemary Padfield, chair of the event’s steering group, said: “We feel it’s vital as farmers and the farming community that the childrfen are educated as to where their food comes from.”

The event prioritised showing the youngsters what is grown in their county, she added.

“We want by the time they leave today, some hows, whys and wherefores being answered.”