PUPILS from Okehampton Primary School descended on Red Lion Yard to take part in an educational harvest day.

Hosted by the Harvest Farm Shop, the day offered plenty of fun activities for the children — giving them the opportunity to learn about local farming, organic food and the environment.

Over the last year, pupils and staff from Okehampton Primary School have been working towards obtaining their gold Food for Life Award.

The heart of this journey is helping pupils to appreciate locally sourced, fresh, organic produce and understanding where food comes from.

Fran Rickwood, eco school co-ordinator, said: ‘We have been incredibly lucky to have the support of Love Local Food who are based at West Town Farm in Ide.

‘Pupils have really enjoyed visits to the farm to get their hands dirty, followed up by class visits from the Love Local Food education team, story telling, visits to the Harvest Farm Shop, apple pressing and, most recently, wild green smoothie making.

‘It’s impossible for Love Local Food’s passion for fresh, local food not to rub off on the children! Holding lessons in Red Lion Yard has proven really successful with all the children being engrossed in the activities as well as stimulataing curiosity and smiles from the general public!’

The Love Local Food education team of Jo and Kevin Cotter said that it has been great to see the school down in Red Lion Yard engaged in learning about seasonal foods and drawing in the public in their learning.

Mrs Rickwood added: ‘The next exciting development for the school is with the Harvest Workers’ Co-operative. Jo and Kevin are part of the Co-operative which is taking over the running of the Harvest Farm Shop and developing a whole range of educational and community activity based on local and sustainable food.’

The Harvest Workers’ Co-operative will be building even more food and farm links with Okehampton Primary School as part of its mission to create a hub of exciting food activity for the whole town.

Look out for the Harvest Workers’ Co-operative and Love Local Food at next Saturday’s Festival of Food and Music.

The Harvest Workers’ Co-operative is currently engaged in a crowd funding campaign to raise money to refurbish the Harvest Farm Shop and kick start the educational programme.