Student land army required to help feed the nation during Covid-19 pandemic

The GLEP is calling on students to support national food security through local food supply chains by volunteering to work on British farms during the COVID-19 pandemic this summer.

The UK is rapidly approaching peak summer harvest season and 80,000 seasonal workers are needed from the end of May to help bring in the UK harvest on British farms.

The GLEP has issued a rallying cry targeted at sixth-formers and students at universities and colleges across Lincolnshire to create a Student Land Army made up of young people on their summer break from education.

A social media campaign has been launched and information is being sent to educational establishments across Greater Lincolnshire.

Sarah Louise Fairburn, Chair of the Food Board at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and a Director at Fairburns Eggs, said: “The food sector in Greater Lincolnshire employs 56,000 people, produces a quarter of the country’s vegetables and is nationally important in keeping our nation fed.

“Because of travel restrictions put in place to combat the coronavirus our farms are struggling to recruit the workers needed to bring in the harvest this year.

“A Student Land Army can have a significant impact on the national effort to overcome the pandemic emergency and will give students a chance to earn an income while they’re not studying.

“That’s why we’re encouraging students to tell their friends about the campaign and asking them to sign up to the Student Land Army today.”

To sign up, search for jobs on the Pick for Britain and Feed the Nation websites.

The Association of Labour Providers can be found on these sites and can advise you of vacancies near you.

For more information, click here