The Lidl Farm to open to Kildare primary school students for spring tours

Agri Aware is set to open the gates of the Lidl Farm, welcoming primary school students to the eight-acre farm in Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

Spring tours are kicking off the first week of March and will run right up to the end of the school term.

In 2024, the Lidl Farm welcomed 4,400 primary school students as part of its Farm-to-Fork Experience, a unique, free educational programme delivered by Agri Aware Education Officer Eimear Kelly.

Now in its third year, the first-of-its-kind initiative by Ireland’s Most Sustainable Retailer for 2024 is focused on growing its reach, while continuing to grow fresh fruits and vegetables at its site in Newbridge at Lidl’s Regional Distribution Centre, which has been operating since October 2022.

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Targeted at primary school students, the Lidl Farm is offering school tours this spring from March to June. Students begin their journey in the classroom before venturing outdoors to explore the farm. Here, they can follow the farm-to-fork journey, starting with the very soil that grows our food.

This hands-on experience not only incorporates the SESE curriculum but also deepens students’ understanding of agriculture and food production.

One of the highlights of the tour is a behind-the-scenes look at the Lidl Regional Distribution Centre, complete with a ride on the Lidl Farm train. This unique experience offers pupils an insider’s view of how everyday products travel from the farm to the shelves of their local Lidl store.

School tours at The Lidl Farm are completely free, with schools only needing to cover their transport costs. Pupils will learn through a combination of hands-on activities and discussions led by Agri Aware's Education Team.

Speaking at the launch of spring tours at the Lidl Farm, Agri Aware Executive Director Marcus O’Halloran said: “We are delighted to see so many students enjoying The Farm to Fork Experience. This free tour is a fantastic opportunity for students to understand where their food comes from - from the soil it’s grown in, all the way through packaging and distribution before it reaches supermarket shelves.

“As the official education partner of Lidl Farm, Agri Aware is proud to continue delivering educational programmes around agriculture through guided discussions and interactive activities led by our education team.”

Also commenting on the upcoming tours was Lidl’s Senior Partnerships & Events Manager Christine McIntyre, who said: “We’re thrilled to open the farm gate to welcome even more pupils from across the country to experience the Lidl Farm this spring. As the only experience of it kind in Ireland, and free of charge for all schools, we’re really proud to provide educational tours which help bring the curriculum to life and provide hands-on learning.

“Since launching in 2022, we’ve welcomed more than 7,000 schoolchildren to date and the feedback from students, parents and teachers has been incredible.

“Our partnership with Agri Aware and key supplier Meade Farm have enabled us to deliver an unrivalled experience at Lidl Farm – with acres of vegetable patches and polytunnels, livestock and even a dedicated Lidl Farm train to transport students, our tours are incredibly popular and I’d encourage schools to book in quickly to secure their place.”

Bookings for spring tours remain open via this link https://eu.jotform.com/242684765982070

Teachers can visit www.agriaware.ie for more information.