Celebrate St David's Day (1st March 2017) with a Leek

Leek farmers across the UK are calling on people everywhere to celebrate this St David's Day with a Leek. For years we've celebrated Burns Night with Haggis and Thanksgiving with Turkey. Now it's the turn of the humble Leek to take centre stage on Wales' national day!

The leek has long been associated with the Welsh Saint David. In the Middle Ages when Saint David was alive, the leek was seen as healthy and virtuous with extraordinary healing qualities including purging the blood, keeping colds at bay and healing wounds.

Fascinating Facts

 The British Leek season runs from September - April

 Phoenician traders introduced Leeks to Wales when they were trading for tin

 Leeks are the national symbol of Wales

 Folk law says that girls who sleep with a leek under their pillow on St David's Day will see their future husband in their dreams!

 Leeks are a member of the onion family

 Leeks are extremely nutritious they are packed with Folate - great for expectant mums, Manganese, Vitamin B6 and Iron

 Leeks contain Quercetin, which has been proven to protect against cancer.

 A leek only contains 17 calories - great for a diet

Available for Interview

While commonly associated with Wales, Leeks are in fact grown in many regions of the UK.

1. Welsh Leek Farmer Charlie Lighbown from his farm in Flintshire, Wales

2. Chairman of the Leek Growers Association - Tim Casey

3. Food writer, author and chef Sophie Wright, who can talk about nutrition, preparing, cooking and eating leeks.

The History of Leeks

The Ancient Egyptians first cultivated leeks. The Emperor Nero loved them so much he was nicknamed Porophagus (leek eater) - he thought they improved his singing voice. Legend had it that in 640AD King Cadawaller instructed his Welsh troops to wear leeks in their hats to distinguish themselves from the invading Saxons. The battle won, leeks became the symbol of Wales. We can provide you with a spokesperson to talk about the fascinating history of leeks.

-Ends-

For further press information

Carole Pendle

Pendle PR

Tel: 07768462601

Email: carole@pendlepr.com