The competition, organised by Leicester City Council, asked schools to produce a menu for a three-course meal featuring five items grown on-site in a ‘mealbarrow’ (a wheelbarrow providing growing space).
Completed menus were returned by May and the menus where judged on presentation, nutritional value and creativity. In June the judges visited schools and assessed the ‘mealbarrows.’ School menus were also judged via a public vote, which took place in Evington Park.
St Barnabas Primary School received a trophy at a celebration event on 25 October 2019. The school’s winning menu featured vegetable soup, chicken salad and a strawberry and whipped cream dessert.
Peter Davies, headteacher of St Barnabas Primary School said: “We are delighted that the hard work of our pupils and staff has paid off with this award.
“We’ve very much enjoyed coming up with a healthy and sustainable menu and then growing some of the ingredients we need. Being part of this competition was a great way to have fun, support our curriculum and learn about the journey our food makes from plot to plate.”
Participation in the Grow Your Own Grub competition can help count towards schemes including the Soil Association’s Food for Life Awards.