By Mrs Tombs (Catering Manager)

The Junior School Eco Team recently enjoyed a field trip with our fruit and vegetable supplier, AB Fruits, to experience a real “field to fork” journey.

The day began at Farmer Mark’s farm in Sharnbrook, where students learned about the wide variety of produce he grows and the challenges farmers face, including climate change and pests such as rabbits. They saw rows of cauliflowers growing in the fields, learned how to tell when they are ready to harvest, and discovered that the leaves are edible. Many were surprised to taste them fresh from the field.

Students also found out how asparagus grows and were interested to learn about its short harvesting season. On warmer days, a single plant can be picked more than once, and each student was given a fresh spear to take home.

The visit continued at AB Fruits in Bedford, where students saw how produce is stored and how orders are picked and prepared for delivery. They learned more about where different fruits and vegetables are sourced and enjoyed tasting a selection of fresh produce.

To complete the “field to fork” experience, the asparagus was brought back to school and prepared by Chef Alex, while cauliflower from the farm was served at lunch, bringing the journey full circle.

The trip provided a valuable opportunity for students to better understand where their food comes from and to consider the benefits of choosing seasonal, locally sourced produce.