PUPILS from Bishop’s Waltham Junior School had the chance to sample some home-grown flavours at a special workshop.

It was run by local Home Economist, Davina Tibbetts and supported by The Southern Co-operative.

Isle of Wight tomatoes, Swanmore apple juice, Lyburn cheese and Test Valley Chalk Stream hot smoked trout were all on the menu for the year five and year six students.

As well as the tastings, the children explored food miles by comparing the distance travelled by a Brazilian pineapple with that of a strawberry from just along the road in Durley.

They also discovered what impact food miles could have on the environment as well as the benefits of supporting local producers.

The workshop aimed to inspire the children to design a “salad in a jar” as part of a cookery competition. Working in pairs, the children will decide on the ingredients, draw their salad, and come up with an idea of savoury bread to accompany it.

Two pairs from each year group will be shortlisted and asked to make their salad and bake their bread at the competition final at Swanmore College at the end of the month.

To get ideas for their menus, the children have been encouraged to go into Bishop’s Waltham High Street and find out what is on offer in the local shops.

Year five teacher, Mrs Peach was understandably impressed when her students were willing to try some of the more adult flavours, such as goat’s cheese, mackerel pate and smoked trout.

Local Sourcing Manager for The Southern Co-operative’s Local Flavours range Kate Hibbert said: “Workshops such as these is a great way to introduce children to the fabulous food that is grown and made here in Hampshire, inspiring them to learn to cook and gain an important life skill too; something we fully support and want to encourage.”