Somerset gains mobile school meals training vehicle

The long awaited launch came after a successful bid was accepted at the end of 2007, to become part of the School FEAST (Food Excellence and Skills Training) network, part of a national £220m scheme to revolutionise school meals across the country. The custom made 12 tonne HGV was built and created by Torton Bodies in Telford, after an idea to bring learning to the community and schools. Work began over a year ago to transform a humble cab chassis into a unique technically advanced training kitchen. The fully self contained vehicle boasts a modern fitted training kitchen with five cookers, five hobs and three fridges. Television and audio visual equipment help to enhance learning and access is easy via steps and a lift ensuring the vehicle is fully accessible to all. James Hampton, Principal of Yeovil College said: "This is a truly unique project, which has grown in strength from a very simple idea into a superb vehicle that will bring learning and the healthy eating agenda to the community." The FEAST vehicle will be used across South and North Somerset to offer a wide range of training and support to all those involved in improving school meals, including school cooks, kitchen assistants, lunchtime supervisors, teachers, bursars and employers. Rachel Davies, Principal of Somerset College said: "This is huge for catering across Somerset, enabling us to bring healthy eating to the county. It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Yeovil College and this vehicle isn't just for the Yeovil and Taunton area, but also for Bridgwater, Tiverton and the whole of the West Country." Emma Melhuish, School FEAST Manager said: ''We're delighted with the excellent School FEAST mobile training unit that Yeovil and Somerset College have launched, this great new facility will play a key role in nurturing the school cooks of the future - training scores of highly skilled kitchen staff for hundreds of schools all across the county to help ensure more children and young people eat a healthy lunch every day in Somerset's schools.'' If you would like to know more about the vehicle please call Veeda Crichton on 01935 423921.