The story behind Grow Your Own Potatoes
Brief History of GYOP and recent activity
GYOP was originally created and launched in 2004 by the British Potato Council. In 2007, following changes within the potato industry, it became part of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). For many years, funded by a levy collected from the potato industry, GYOP successfully delivered Grow Your Own Potatoes kits, including seed potatoes, grow bags, and instructions, to 15,000 classrooms nationwide each year, giving school children an insight into where their potatoes come from and how they are grown.
In 2021, members of the potato industry voted to end the levy funding for the potato sector, and the budget for GYOP came to an end, leaving the programme in danger of closing. Skea Organics and Potato House, enthusiastic supporters of GYOP for many years, stepped in to save the initiative. As long-time supporters and suppliers of seed potatoes for GYOP, they recognised the need to carry on this worthwhile project, having witnessed first-hand the excitement of school children growing their own potatoes. Determined to preserve this valuable educational programme, they provided a new home for GYOP within Potato House.
Thanks now to the generosity of our sponsors, from across the potato industry, we are optimistic about rebuilding our numbers to their former levels. With 8,500 kits distributed nationwide in 2024, including a pilot project in Northern Ireland for the first time, we are hopeful that in 2025 we will be able to distribute even more. Our recent win at the Potato Industry Awards for Best Marketing Work/Best Marketing Campaign, achieved after operating in the current format for such a short time, stands as a testament to our efforts and success, something we are very proud of.
Sponsorship does not need to come exclusively from the potato industry or be in the form of potatoes! We also need monetary help with purchasing mail bags, print materials, web hosting, and other incidentals, as well as covering postage costs. Your support, in any form, is crucial to helping us continue this impactful programme and reach even more classrooms in the future. Together, we can ensure that the next generation understands and appreciates where their food comes from and the joys of growing it themselves.
If you are interested in becoming part of the partnership or would like more information, please get in touch:
Sue Lawton - Programme Manager
Tel - 07792 209478
We will answer your questions as soon as possible. Note this is not live chat or 24 hours.
The reply will come from sue@ growyourownpotatoes .org.uk please add to your safe list.
Your details will only be used to answer your query, you will NOT be signed up to receive a Grow Your Own Pack by filling this form in.
18 years of interactive potato growing fun, let's work together to keep this going.
Over 6 million children have taken part, learning all about potatoes. Who will do this if GYOP ends?
At its height GYOP was in 75% of all primary schools - schools that are still keen to keep growing and taking part.
Potential to reach 500,000+ children each year, working together we can do this and have an educated next generation.
