TOP TV chef James Martin is backing a campaign to educate the public about the journey their food takes from plough to plate.

The star of BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen is passionate about educating young people and families about where their food comes from and is backing an educational campaign by farmers at this year’s Cheshire County Show.

“As a chef I think that encouraging young people and families to understand where their food comes from is essential and events such as the Cheshire County Show play a really important part in this education process,” he said.

“It is very easy to take what ends up on our plate for granted without thinking of the hard work and care that goes into getting it there. The show provides a rare opportunity for people to get up close to a range of different animals and see the whole process of how they are reared to provide the food we eat.

“I wish the Cheshire farming community and all those involved in the Cheshire County Show all the best in promoting this important message at this year’s event.”

Visitors to the show will get an in-depth insight into Cheshire’s food production industry at the Agri Centre, which is sponsored by Sainsbury’s.

Beef and dairy farmers as well as butchers and cheese makers will be among those in the centre who will be explaining the journey our food takes.

Produce from some of Cheshire’s best local and independent food producers will also be available to buy or sample in the Roberts Bakery Food Hall, sponsored for a fifth year running by the leading, local bakers.

Cheshire Show executive director Nigel Evans welcomed the support of James Martin and said Cheshire farmers were committed to informing the public about where their food comes from.

“As the county’s agricultural organisation we have a duty to inform visitors to the show about the importance of the countryside and the agricultural industry and to have the support of such a high-profile chef to help us promote our message is fantastic,” he said.

“Some people might not realise that their milk, meat, cheese or cereal comes from a farm down the road. They see it on the supermarket shelves and don’t know about the journey it takes.

“We want to educate our visitors so they appreciate the importance of where their food comes from, the hard work put into the food chain by local farmers and how they can help the local economy by buying local products.”