Melchett was one of the founding members of Food for Life and he played a key role in ‘transforming’ the food children eat in schools. The Food for Life standard ensures that 1.9 million meals are served daily, which are environmentally and sustainably sourced.
Totnes St John’s sits in a deprived area in Devon with double the school meals entitlement than the national average. The award acknowledges their ‘exceptional demonstration’ of the whole school approach to food, which is transforming food culture in their school and extending beyond the classroom into the wider community.
James Cashmore, managing director of the Soil Association, said: “Totnes St John’s took the whole school approach to food further than we have ever seen before. Their broad and holistic concept of food encompassed the trust they’re part of, their school kitchen, children, families, farmers and suppliers, and local community. This school used food to bring people together and break down barriers to change not only the school but the community it served.”
The school has been presented with a wooden trophy carved from a tree near Peter Melchett’s farm in Norfolk, as well as £1,000.
Head teacher of Totnes St John’s, William Jaworski, added: “We believe the whole school approach nurtures children for the next step in their lives. We would like to thank Food for Life for your support and recognition.”
Food for Life also praised the two runners-up St Mary’s C of E and Newland St John’s for their demonstration of the whole school approach.