Harvest Feast celebrates The Country Trust Food Discovery Programme

Bishop’s Primary School in Ashington recently hosted a vibrant Harvest Feast, marking the culmination of a year of dedicated learning and growth through its Food Discovery Programme supported by The Country Trust. The celebration was enjoyed by National Garden Scheme, County Organiser for Northumberland Maxine Eaton (pictured above right), who actively participated in the preparations alongside enthusiastic young chefs.

The air at Bishop’s Primary was filled with excitement as children, beaming with enthusiasm, collaborated on preparing a delicious buffet.

“I love the smell of the mint – it reminds me of toothpaste!” commented one pupil, while preparing the creamy dressing for the potato salad.

The children proudly shared their experiences, including the ‘new things’ they had tasted over the course of their programme. “I never thought I liked tomatoes until I did cooking lessons with
Debbie!” announced one boy, and another explained, “We have learnt how to chop vegetables using a claw, or bridge, hold. At home my mam wouldn’t let me cut stuff up because she thought it was dangerous, but now I can do it!”

Later, the feast was joyously shared with parents, carers, siblings, teachers, and special guests, creating a true community celebration. The impressive menu, largely featuring fresh produce,
and the potatoes and herbs harvested from the school gardens, included:

• Elderflower cordial infused with fruit and herbs
• Assorted potato salads: herbaceous, creamy mayonnaise with chives, and zesty olive oil and seasoning
• Crisp green leaf salad
• Freshly baked bread
• Nutritious pea and broad bean hummus
• Fragrant herby yoghurt dip
• A colourful array of vegetables for dipping
• A delightful Eton mess to finish

The Harvest Feast is more than just a meal; it’s a testament to the children’s hard work and the significant achievements made throughout the year. The Food Discovery Programme, an
immersive special education initiative, has provided Year 3 students with invaluable experiences, including hands-on growing and cooking sessions, educational visits to local farms, and inspiring talks from “food heroes”.

Maxine thoroughly enjoyed assisting the students, witnessing firsthand their complete engagement in every task: “The energy and dedication of the children at Bishop’s Primary is truly inspiring,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see the impact of the Food Discovery Programme, that the National Garden Scheme helps fund, empowering these young minds with essential knowledge about where their food comes from and how to prepare healthy, delicious meals.”

At the conclusion of the day, each child proudly received a certificate, recognising their commitment and the valuable skills they’ve acquired. The Harvest Feast not only celebrated a successful year of learning but also highlighted the vital role the National Garden Scheme plays in supporting such enriching educational programmes.

For more about the National Garden Scheme’s support of The Country Trust
click here