EAGER pupils have gone outdoors to learn more about the ingredients in their school meals – as part of a Hampshire County Council Catering Services’ (HC3S) celebration of local food.

HC3S served special menus at Hampshire primary and secondary schools throughout British Food Fortnight, which from September 23 to October 8, including Hampshire beef patties, New Forest strawberries, and Hampshire watercress salad.

As part of the campaign, The Watercress Company at Manor Farm in Old Alresford welcomed children to learn more about the leaf vegetables served in their school meals.

Peter Edgar, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for education, said: “We are very proud to be championing homegrown Hampshire produce, which is integral to the healthy school meals we serve to more than 440 schools across Hampshire.”

As part of British Food Fortnight, HC3S has also been serving locally sourced food and Hampshire-blended Mozzo coffee at the county council’s visitor attractions, including Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Calshot Activities Centre, Lepe Country Park, Manor Farm, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Royal Victoria Country Park, Staunton Country Park, and Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve.

Dishes have included trout from local supplier Chalk Stream, with a Romsey Gold beer batter coating, New Forest ice cream, and freshly made Lyburn cheese and watercress scones.