10th Jun 2009 - 00:00
Abstract
As part of the nationwide Year of Food and Farming campaign, 13 pupils from Chetwynde School, Cumbria attended workshops to learn all there is to know about wheat from school meals provider Sodexo, the official nutrition partner for the initiative.
The Year of Food and Farming is a campaign to help children find out more about the countryside and where their food comes from, through memorable, first-hand learning experiences. Throughout the year, farmers, food producers and many other organisations have been offering a range of ideas and events, information and teaching materials for participating schools. Chetwynde School is one of up to 500 schools across the country which will have had the opportunity to participate in similar workshops by the end of the campaign. Sodexo staff developed the interactive workshops where children were able to bake bread and learn about the origin of other ingredients such as raisins, which initially start life as grapes. To ensure a better understanding of healthy eating and food, Sodexo has produced a 'Facts and Fun' booklet and Funky Food card game. The booklet contains information about healthy eating and the different food groups, a food diary, a pizza recipe and general information about wheat products. The Funky Food game consists of a pack of 32 fun food fact cards which will help children learn about different foods and their nutritional benefits and origin. Jane Bristow, managing director, Sodexo Education, said: "Our main aim is to provide children with fresh, healthy and tasty food and to inform them about the importance of a balanced diet. We are delighted to be supporting the Year of Food and Farming initiative and are pleased to be able to provide Chetwynde School pupils with the opportunity to take part in practical, educational and fun activities." Angie Seal, Sodexo's district support manager, said: "The group found the workshop great fun and we received really positive feedback from the school. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the teachers hope we will be able to organise similar workshops in the future." Dot Bowe, teacher at Chetwynde School, said: "A big thank you to Sodexo staff for coming and helping the children to learn all about wheat and how to make bread. They really enjoyed it and ate their samples before they went home."