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Wednesday, December 03, 2008, 11:22
St John's Primary School was one of only six schools in the country to win a silver award at the Food for Life Partnership Awards Ceremony for their dedication to healthy food.
Teachers and catering staff from the school attended the event on Monday, to receive their award from the prince.
Over the past 12 months, the school has shown it is possible to transform children's attitude to healthy eating by making a few changes.
These included the revamp of the school canteen, which has been renamed The Purple Planet.
Its aim is to make lunchtime a good experience for everyone, with student helpers who serve dessert and fresh water to classmates.
The changes have seen school meal uptake increase by 30 per cent.
St John's also runs an after-school cooking club for pupils and parents and has formed a close relationship with Farrington's Farm, in Farrington Gurney, where pupils have found out about where food comes from.
Headteacher Carolyn Banfield said: "It's been hard work and nobody should go into this just wanting an award – you have to be committed.
"But everyone has been involved here and there is nothing we have done I wouldn't do again."
Schools need to pass criteria to achieve a Food for Life Award.
For a silver award, schools must serve meals on plates, rather than flight trays, and food must include a range of locally-sourced and organic items.
All chicken, bacon and sausages served must be Freedom Food certified or free range and all fish must be from sustainable sources.
There has to be a cooking club organised by the school, where children can cook and eat food they have grown in a school allotment.
Parents and the wider community must have the opportunity to get involved in food education via themed events.
Teacher Alison Dukes, who runs the cooking club, was at the award ceremony. She said: "Prince Charles was very down to earth. We met him after the ceremony to talk about what we had been doing at St John's."
The Food for Life Partnership is a network of schools and communities across the country, committed to transforming food culture.
Their aim is to revolutionise school meals, re-connect young people with farms and inspire families to cook and grow food.
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