To make the breadsticks and using their measuring skills the children collected 225g of strong plain flour and added a sachet of easy-blend yeast (we used a 7g sachet which you can get at the local Tesco supermarket). Using a measuring jug they took 150ml of warm water and added to it 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then added this to the flour mixture.

Before we knew it it was time to leave, although we left with a whole box of goodies.

The school's S.N.A.G. (School Nutrition Action Group) meet each half term and discuss how to improve the nutrition, teaching, cooking and learning not just for the children within the school but also for the wider community. The children are involved in these meetings and special thanks to Snaglets - John, Leah and Erin for helping us during the day and showing great enthusiasm.  Ian Nutt who is the East of England Co-ordinator from the Food for Life Partnership joined us during the day and was on hand to answer any questions (fill plant pots) and generally support Kim Griffiths and the team at Takeley Primary School. Thank you for an enjoyable day - Good luck and fingers crossed for you all as you go for your Gold award.

For more information on the program visit the website www.foodforlife.org.uk

 

We turned newspapers into biodegradable plant pots in the afternoon - using an origami style of paper folding the children made numerous pots and potted them up ready for Rainbow Chard seeds or Basil seeds. When they take them home they can be planted straight out into the garden

Lunch was served and a choice of either jacket potatoes, fish fingers or vegetable quiche was available, served with chips or new potatoes and the salad bar was filled with fresh produce - even the lettuce was harvested earlier that day from their vegetable patch. Dessert was tinned peaches with cream or a shortbread cookie with a wedge of orange. To drink the children had the choice of water of milk. 

When finished the children put any unwanted food in the recyclable sacks ready for the food waste collection by Uttlesford District Council - no food was just thrown out!

We then sowed some lettuce for the children to take home. These smart little pots have the lid and tray combined. Keeping the lid on until the seeds start to germinate, watering to keep soil moist and positioned on a warm sunny windowsill.  When those green shoots start to appear the lid is removed and acts as the tray. When the salad leaves are about 5cm high they are ready to be harvested. The tray can then be reused time and time again.

.... for Lacewing's! Easy to make using recycled cardboard, and a 2lt drinks bottle. Mia, Mya and Jamie made two of these which will be added to our Supergrounds garden to encourage a home for these insects.

After a short break and trying to avoid the showers (it is supposed to be summer!) the children made a five star luxury hotel.....

And of course then followed the washing up - Where did Jamie go??

Then it was time to shape them to resemble breadsticks.

To make sure the breadsticks didn't become stuck to the tray Jamie made sure it was greased well using a pastry brush and olive oil.

Before the dough could be split the children had to knead the dough for about 10 minutes.

Then came the messy part! Mixing the ingredients to form a dough

After draining one can of chickpeas the children crushed them using the end of a rolling pin - this helped with one person holding the bowl securely but if you haven't got that extra pair of hands try placing a tea towel under the bowl. Add the juice of a whole lemon (take care to not add the pips!)  The children then added a crushed clove of garlic which had been harvested from the schools vegetable patch. After adding a carefully measure tablespoon of olive oil it was back to crushing and blending again.

The day started with the children making their own hummus and breadsticks.

I was delighted to take Mia and Jamie along with Mya to Takeley and sharing a cooking and growing experience along with a school lunch alongside other children.

We were invited to join other schools at Takeley Primary School to learn more about the Food for Life Partnership.  This is a program where schools are growing, cooking and eating fresh, seasonal, local and organic food and visiting farms where their food is produced.