Fourteen primary schools in Shropshire that have excelled in transforming their food culture were presented with a prestigious Bronze and Silver Awards at Shropshire’s first Food for Life Partnership Awards Ceremony on Thursday 16 June. The ceremony took place at Fordhall Organic Farm, England’s first community-owned farm.
Children and staff from the 14 primary schools across the region attended the ceremony. The schools work with the Food for Life Partnership to transform their food culture and that of their communities by reconnecting children with growing, cooking, eating and appreciating climate-friendly and healthy food.
The Food for Life Partnership Bronze Award means that schools serve seasonal school meals with 75% of the dishes being freshly prepared by a very well-trained school cook. Pupils and parents are involved in planning improvements to school menus and the dining experience, and every pupil has the opportunity to visit a farm, cook and grow food during his or her time at school.
Wilfred Owen Primary School in Monkmoor, one of the schools to be awarded Bronze has since achieved the Food for Life Partnership Silver Award. Headteacher Chris Huss says: "By working towards these awards we have raised awareness amongst pupils, parents and staff of healthy eating and wider issues to do with sustainable and healthy food production. This has been an exciting development for the whole school, everyone is looking forward to the challenge of the Gold award and how we can benefit from an even better food culture."
Polly Ross from Whitchurch Infant & Nursery School says: "Teaching the children about healthy living at an early age is very important. The earlier the better so that their understanding of healthy eating becomes ingrained. It's also an excellent way of getting through to the parents."
All of the 14 schools are catered for by Shire Services, the Shropshire County Council caterer which has achieved the Food for Life Silver Catering Mark for its meals served to 135 primary schools in the region.
Business Operations Manager at the Councils Catering Division "Shire Services" Mr. Bill Campbell says: "It’s really pleasing to see that our work to achieve the Food for Life Silver Catering Mark has supported these schools in their work, teaching the importance of food to children and generally transforming food culture in Shropshire. The links we have forged with schools is stronger than ever and we wish to encourage more schools to embrace the Food for Life Partnership so they can benefit. Within a rural county, the school food provision has become an integral part of pupils’ education – they learn about local, seasonal food, see it growing and then eat it as part of their lunch, and leave school with a desire to make healthy choices."
What the children sayRory, 10, from Worthen school says his favourite part of the Food for Life Partnership is the eating because the food is "really fresh and we're proud that we've grown it ourselves."
Matthew, 10, also from Worthern school says he likes growing. "We have a fuschia competition, so we grow fuschias. We also grow carrots and tomatoes and loads of other vegtables that all go into the kitchen at the end of the day. Rocket's my favourite because I like the name."
Olivia, 11, from Wilfred Owen school is a keen gardener. She likes growing because "it's important to know what you're eating. We grow fruit and vegetables and my mum does a lot of gardening at home."
Naomi, 11, from St John's school says she likes gardening because "you can do it with your friends and we can choose what healthy food to grow, like beetroot and onions."
Olivia, 10, from Whixall school (pictured top right with Jessica) says her favourite part of the Food for Life Partnership is the cooking. "It's nicer when you make it than when you buy it."
Alex, 10, from Worfield school (pictured top left with Oscar, 9) says he likes "getting involved" and enjoys cooking with parents. "We had an Italian day at school, and parents came in to cook pizza. My mum came and we made a pizza together with tomatoes, peppers and cheese."
The schools awarded Bronze are:
- Bomere Heath C of E Primary School, Shrewsbury
- Cleobury Mortimer Primary School, Cleobury Mortimer
- Kinnerley CE Primary School, Kinnerley
- Market Drayton Junior School, Market Drayton
- St John’s Catholic Primary School, Bridgnorth
- Stottesdon C of E Primary School, Cleobury Mortimer
- Trinity C of E Primary School, Shrewsbury
- Welshampton C of E Primary School, Ellesmere
- Whitchurch CE Infant & Nursery School, Whitchurch
- Whixall CE Primary School, Whitchurch
- Worfield Primary, Bridgnorth
- Worthen CE Primary School, Shrewsbury
The schools awarded Bronze and Silver are:
- Hadnall C of E Primary School, Shrewsbury
- Wilfred Owen Primary School. Monkmoor
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