THIS year’s Grow Your Own Potatoes (GYOP) initiative reached more than 210,000 children, with 7,100 kits distributed to schools in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Since its launch in 2004 GYOP has evolved into one of the UK’s largest food education programmes for primary schools. Aimed at educating children about food origins, healthy eating, and sustainable practices through hands-on potato growing, over six million children have participated since its inception.
Each year, GYOP provides free growing kits and curriculum-linked resources to schools and children learn through hands-on activities.
The project’s sponsors include Branston, McCain Foods, Tesco, Puffin Produce, and E. Park & Sons. Other supporters include BASF, who provide wildflower seeds, and Wilsons Country, a sponsor for Northern Ireland. The programme is housed and managed by Potato House.
Sponsors for the 2025 scheme included:
These sponsors provide financial support, seed potatoes, and prizes for participating schools, enabling the free distribution of growing kits to primary schools across the UK.
GYOP Project Manager Sue Lawton said: “GYOP opens the door for all children to grow, learn and explore — whatever their starting point. Watching them gain confidence through something as simple as planting and nurturing a potato is incredibly rewarding.”
Prizes were awarded for the heaviest yield, with Kingfisher Primary School winning the national prize with a yield of 5000g. This year a new Best Photo Challenge was introduced, showcasing students’ gardening experiences and the connection to nature and pollinators.
