A WORKSHOP delivered through a programme of activities for gifted and talented children has seen youngsters using their loaves to find out more about food miles.

As an extension to the recent 'Cob and Timber' project at Okehampton Primary School, a group of Year 3 and 4 pupils took part in a workshop learning about food production and where food comes from.

The 'Pizza Detectives' discovered the international origin of ingredients for a shop-bought pizza and then calculated how far the separate ingredients had travelled before the pizza ends up on the dinner table.

Flour from Canada, tomatoes from Italy and peppers from Spain contributed to an astounding 17,500 food miles for a store-bought pizza.

Their next task was to create their own pizza using locally sourced ingredients.

Some of the foodstuffs used involved no food miles at all, as they were grown at the school thanks to Waitrose Grow and Sell kits.

Children created a number of unique and tasty pizza toppings, using only between 122 and 132 food miles.

Saving the best part of the day until last, the children then enjoyed the excitement of using the school's new outdoor cob oven and seeing their culinary creations being cooked.

Joining the children for this part of the day were Theresa Edwards and Charlotte Tucker from Waitrose, who generously provided a pizza paddle, pizza trays and a cutter.

Theresa Edwards from Waitrose said: 'It's great to know that the Grow and Sell seed kit has inspired the children to produce pizzas from locally sourced ingredients.'

The day finished with the children making a start on an action plan to present to Okehampton Primary headteacher Mrs Fox making suggestions about how the school could increase its use of locally sourced, organic and seasonal produce.

The work will support the school's progress towards the silver Food for Life programme.

The workshop was part of a new programme of events for gifted and talented primary school children called the Socrates Society which aims to provide challenging thinking opportunities for gifted and talented children both from Okehampton Primary School and from schools across the county.

Workshops will cover a whole range of interesting topics and subjects. Details of the workshops can be found on the school website at http://www.okehampton-pri.devon.sch.uk/Gifted-Learning">www.okehampton-pri.devon.sch.uk/Gifted-Learning

Waitrose Grow and Sell seed kits encourage seven to eleven-year-olds to grow their own produce and harvest food crops.

The scheme offers an activity which involves team work and will inspire and motivate children to learn where food comes from and appreciate the challenges facing farming.

To find out more about Grow and Sell seed kits or to nominate your school to receive one, contact Theresa Edwards at Waitrose Okehampton on 01837 659008.

l Fran Rickwood of Okehampton Primary School and Theresa Edwards and Charlotte Tucker of Waitrose are pictured with the youngsters who were 'pizza detectives' for the day.