BUDDING Jamie Oliver’s from Ashton Keynes School got a real taste of the good life when they left the classroom behind to visit The Co-operative Farms’ Down Ampney estate.

As part of the Co-operative’s successful Farm to Fork project, pupils had a chance to learn about the farm and its crops. Students learnt that the Down Ampney farm has been growing oilseed rape and cereals and were shown what products are made from them.

They also had a hands-on session making pasta and pasta salad from scratch.

Lucy Ashcroft, Farm to Fork project leader at Down Ampney, said: “It was a fantastic day out for the children who got the chance to make their own food and learn about how it is grown on Co-operative farms.

“It was great for them to learn about the benefits of healthy eating, as well as get hands-on experience of making healthy pasta and pasta salad and understanding the importance that wildlife plays in farming and putting food on our plate.”

The Co-operative’s Farm to Fork has been running for four years at Down Ampney and also operates at nine other Co-operative farms across the UK. The initiative offers free farm visits to school children including scout and guide groups and is growing in popularity each year.

The programme brings together a host of learning materials and practical opportunities to help teachers, parents and children take care of the environment in a fun and active way.

So far this year 50 groups have visited the farm. “It has really taken off,” said Mrs Ashcroft. “Farm to Fork aims to promote healthy eating amongst children. It is free for schools and there is no catch. We bring school children in and teach where their food comes from. It vital that people understand what farming involves.”

* For more information and for school registration visit www.greenschools.coop