A CREDITON Primary School has been awarded the "Food for Life Partnership" Bronze award for its healthy and climate-friendly food culture.

Landscore Primary School is working with the "Food for Life Partnership" to transform the school's food culture and that of its local community, by connecting the children with climate-friendly and healthy food.

As part of the Bronze award scheme, Landscore serves seasonal school meals, 75 per cent of which are freshly prepared by experienced school cooks, Yvonne Gale, Andrea Vincent and Julie Dawe of "Devon Norse".

The school also gives every pupil the opportunity to visit a farm, cook and take part in food growing activities during his or her time at school.

Pupils and parents are also involved in making improvements to the school's menu and dining experience.

Landscore has a School Nutrition Action Group, new "children's kitchen", large greenhouse and self-service lunches for year six pupils.

Gary Read, headteacher, said on achieving the award: "This award is a welcome recognition for all the hard work of many Landscore staff and pupils to make Landscore a real 'Food for Life' school, with special thanks to Mrs Mei-lin Houston, our 'Food for Life' co-ordinator, who has been instrumental in our success.

"All our children can experience first-hand the cycle of planting, nurturing, harvesting, preparing, cooking, eating and composting.

"This is made possible not only by our excellent school environment, but by the dedication of staff, children and parents through the PTA."

The "Food for Life Partnership" has created network of more than 4,500 schools across England committed to transforming their food culture. It supports them to provide fresh, well-sourced and nutritious meals and to improve their overall lunchtime experience. It helps children, adults and teachers understand the importance of good nutrition and where their food comes from through practical cooking and growing activities and farm visits.

The initiative is led by the Soil Association, bringing together the practical expertise of Focus on Food, Garden Organic and the Health Education Trust. It is free for schools in England to enrol and provides a wealth of resources to support their progress through the award framework.

Alan Quick