HAMPSHIRE students took a trip to an historic farm to find out more about their school meal ingredients.

Pupils from the Eastleigh-based Shakespeare Junior School took a field trip to the Watercress Company at Manor Farm in Old Alresford to learn more about the vegetables served in their school meals.

It was part of the Hampshire County Council Catering Services’ (HC3S) celebration of local food.

HC3S served special menus at Hampshire primary and secondary schools earlier this month.

The menus included Hampshire beef patties, New Forest strawberries and Hampshire watercress salad.

Last Thursday Eastleigh pupils had the chance to go outdoors and learn more about local ingredients.

Steve Cox, headteacher at Shakespeare Junior School, said: “At Shakespeare, we believe in the importance of good food and nutrition. HC3S run our kitchens and we are really happy with the food they provide for the children.

“It’s also really important for the children to see first hand how local businesses operate and how the Hampshire economy is supported by buying local produce.”

Cllr Peter Edgar, the county council’s executive member for education, said: “We are very proud to be championing homegrown Hampshire produce.

“It’s also important to help young people – such as pupils from Shakespeare School – to understand the story behind the fruit and vegetables they eat in their school meals. It not only helps them learn about the dietary benefits of eating fresh food, but also highlights how local farms – such as the historic watercress farm here in Old Alresford - play such a vital role in the process from plough to plate.”