Pupils from Wisbech chip in on a food chain programme by McCain Foods

McCain Growing In Schools. Rachel (CCS) Mr Holt class teacher of the winning class and Peter Elflain from McCain. (Image: Archant)

The food growing programme, supported by McCain Foods, has been introduced to help pupils learn about the growing process and understand where food comes from.

The learning programme brings the food chain to life beginning with planting seeds.

Carrie Norman, Peckover Primary School’s Head Teacher, said: “While it won’t be compulsory until September when the new national curriculum is introduced, providing a whole school approach to food education is really important to us.

“Every single pupil needs to understand that food doesn’t arrive pre-packed from the supermarket and that different types of food can affect your body in different ways.

“The growing programme literally brings the food chain to life, providing a vital link between the food that is eaten and prepared in the canteen and what is being taught in the classroom.

“By using the resources with pupils in the classroom and on the allotment, and by including the produce that we’re growing on the menu in the canteen, we can provide a genuine whole school approach to healthy eating that is also fun and engaging for pupils.”

Each of the 14 classes at Peckover School were designated their own vegetable patch to cultivate over the last few months, with the class that harvested the most produce, determined by weight, winning a prize of book vouchers.

The lucky winners were Rainbow Class with class Teacher Mr Holt.

Peckover is one of four schools in Cambridgeshire taking part, including Alderman Jacobs Primary School and New Road Primary School in Whittlesey, and Orchards Primary School in Wisbech.

McCain Foods developed and supplied teaching booklets for schools and provided seeds and gardening equipment, including rakes, spades and watering cans.