W5 Belfast, Northern Ireland’s leading science and discovery centre, has partnered with Mash Direct, the award-winning local food producer, to launch a pilot Field to Fork education programme. This engaging initiative helps children understand where their food comes from and how sustainable farming shapes our environment and future.
The pilot, which will be delivered across primary schools in Newtownards, Bangor and Comber, offers a hands-on, curriculum-linked learning experience that explores the full journey of food from field to fork. By connecting pupils with local industries and real-world farming practices, the programme highlights how sustainable agriculture supports healthier communities and a healthier planet.
Through interactive investigations, pupils follow food from the soil to their plate. They explore growing conditions, soil health, climate impact and environmental responsibility, helping them link science to everyday life and build a greater appreciation for nature and sustainable food production.
Sponsored by Mash Direct and delivered by W5’s expert learning and education team, this free outreach programme will engage around 600 pupils from ten local primary schools, with a strong focus on supporting areas of higher social deprivation. Every activity is carefully aligned to the curriculum and designed to spark curiosity, encourage healthier food choices, and inspire pupils to think about their role in protecting the environment.
Jack Hamilton, CEO of Mash Direct, said:
“We’re proud to support the Field to Fork pilot and help educate the next generation about where their food comes from. From the soil beneath our feet to the meals on our tables. Sustainability and community are at the heart of everything we do. By sharing six generations of our family’s farming experience, we want to inspire children to understand the vital role of farming, the importance of sustainable agriculture and soil health, and how caring for the environment and our climate helps build a healthier, greener future for everyone.”
The Field to Fork pilot includes a range of practical, sensory and exploratory activities designed to bring science, sustainability and food education to life, including:
• Growing vegetables from seed and investigating how soil and climate affect growth
• Cooking and tasting traditional potato bread
• Exploring the Eatwell Plate to learn about balanced nutrition
• Investigating food miles and how sustainable farming reduces environmental impact
• Creating video stories to capture and share their learning
Elaine Steele, Education Officer at W5, added:
“This collaboration with Mash Direct allows us to make science real, relevant and fun. By linking classroom learning to local food production and sustainability, pupils get to explore how food is grown, processed and reaches their tables. They discover how their food choices affect both their well-being and the planet. Ultimately, we want to inspire a new generation to think critically about food, farming and the environment.”
The pilot supports Mash Direct’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, education and community engagement, while strengthening W5’s mission to make science accessible, inclusive and inspiring for all. If successful, both organisations hope to expand Field to Fork across Northern Ireland, giving even more schools the opportunity to experience this innovative approach to food education.
As a pilot scheme, Field to Fork is sowing the seeds for a broader educational rollout,one that could transform how young people understand food, health and sustainability, from the field all the way to their fork.