School food at Fairford restaurant (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

School food at Fairford restaurant

SCHOOL food has been grabbing the headlines since TV chef Jamie Oliver launched his 'Feed Me Better' campaign earlier this year.

But for one Cotswold school improving the quality of school food they serve was only the beginning.

Over the summer holidays Fairford Primary School has also been supplying organic vegetables from in its gardens to local restaurant The Bridge.

Headteacher Jane Sparling said: "We produce food for our own catering and we've been supplying our kids with vegetables on a daily basis.

"But harvest time is during the holidays which we felt was a real shame.

"We have a very good relationship with the restaurant and it is easy for them to come down and use what we don't use.

"The children are just so chuffed. They garden every week and it is fantastic.

"We are also looking at expanding our gardens and using even more land for growing vegetables. We have got leeks and courgettes for January and we hope to grow blackcurrants and berries in the future."

The Bridge has been up and running in Fairford for six months and is going from strength to strength.

Boss Alex D'Elia even had to give up being on the town council last week because the restaurant is taking up so much of his time.

He said: "We did the school's end of term party and were chatting to the teacher of my sister's son Oscar who is involved in the garden they have there.

"She was saying how she didn't know she was going to do in the summer with all their vegetables going to waste.

"It was excellent produce and we will definitely carry on the cycle next year if we give them money towards getting more equipment for their gardening.

"It is really a point of interest for our customers as well, with many of their children going to the school. It's got a nice community feel to it."