Primary schools growing their own fruit and veg

At Marlborough Primary School in Falmouth, Cornwall they have their own allotment. Children aged 5-11 along with their parents come and grow their own vegetables which they then eat with their school dinners. These range from courgettes, broad beans, kale and carrots.  They ended a contract with their old catering firm in 2014 in favour of doing it themselves. They have been so successful the chef (Jessica Oughton) has published her own child friendly recipe book which features vegetables grown in the schools allotment including a nettle pizza! She says it is important to enhance things with vegetables and encourage children to eat them rather than hide them in their food. 
Jessica believes that children love to be involved and if they cook it themselves, they're more likely to eat it just like if they grow it themselves they're more excited to eat it. 




Jessica's advice for [arents wanted to add more enthusiasm at meal times when it comes to eating veg is to keep it relaxed, any pressure on a child to eat something doesnt help. We all have days when we aren't in the mood for something and children are the same.