The Source

How was British Food Fortnight 2022 celebrated?

This year’s event was organised by Laura Naughton, Head of Food and Nutrition, joint by a local farmer and parent Jenny Shaylor. The school gymnasium was transformed into a ‘British Food Hub’ in which the year 7 pupils rotated around to meet local Cotswold producers.

The workshop had a strong focus on sustainable food production and regenerative agriculture, allowing the pupils to gain a true insight into the "Field to Fork" process, learning about growing and producing food and then tasting the end products too! 

What was achieved?

Local producers spoke to the children about food production to broaden their understanding of why supporting local British producers is important, and why the food is of higher quality. 

• Local dairy, Gorsehill Abbey Farm covered how versatile and nutritious dairy is, and provided interactive learning for the children with their fun milk dispensing machine.

• Lower Clopton Farm Shop explained step by step about what happens on their mixed farm, from lambing in spring to rearing turkeys for Christmas.

• Old farm explained the benefits of using regenerative principles to grow their crops.

• Wildfarmed, who provides the local Mor Bakery with their flour, talked about how healthy soil grows tasty and nutritious ingredients which makes the bakery’s bread better than your average supermarket loaf.

Feedback on the event 

The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the event, and every pupil took home their own goody bag containing recipe ideas, wildflower seeds from Merry May honey, and information leaflets from the producers. This has been a great way to promote discussion within families and has definitely promoted the array of brilliant Cotswold producers. 

Overall, the feedback from school staff, pupils and parents was excellent. The event has definitely benefitted the children’s understanding to support local producers, and pupils commented on how much they enjoyed the interactive learning.