Pupils at Wimbish Primary Academy Celebrate Homegrown Apples with Seed-to-Plate Workshop

To mark the start of October, pupils at Wimbish Primary Academy, part of Anglian Learning, had a fantastic time learning about ways to enjoy the apples which grow and fall each year on their school grounds.

The school’s caterers, Innovate IFG, hosted a hands-on ‘seed-to-plate’ workshop which introduced pupils to a range of creative ways to enjoy apples. From juicing to chocolate dipping, the pupils eagerly participated in every step, which culminated in all helping to prepare a delicious apple crumble.

Alongside the fun of making sweet snacks, the session also focused on enjoying apples in their raw form and understanding their health benefits. Innovate IFG’s Head of Nutrition, shared valuable tips on how apples support heart and bone health, encouraging the pupils to enjoy them as part of a healthy diet.

The school’s orchard features apple varieties such as Galas, Pink Ladies, and Braeburns, as well as other fruits like pears and plums. With British Food Fortnight underway, this event highlighted how schools can foster a love of locally grown produce from a young age. The pupils took great pride in their homegrown apples and left with fresh ideas on how to use them in the kitchen.

Rachael Johnston, Director of Primary Education at Anglian Learning said: “Innovate IFG’s ‘seed-to-plate’ workshop was a wonderful reminder of the importance of hands-on learning. As a multi-academy trust, we are privileged to have a caterer who is as passionate about providing enriching experiences for our pupils as we are. Pupil’s health will have a direct impact on their learning ability, so it is essential to help them understand the benefits of a balanced diet.”

Andy Wilcock, Head of Food for Innovate IFG said: “It was an absolute pleasure to spend time with the pupils at Wimbish Primary Academy who were incredibly knowledgeable about the different apples growing at their school. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting the foodie workshop and learned as much from the pupils about apples as they did from us!”

Mr Steadman, Senior Teacher at Wimbish Primary Academy said: “It was an amazing experience for the pupils of Wimbish, I particularly liked how all the children were involved, and it was hands on. A big thank you to all the members of innovate that brought lots of enthusiasm during the activities and for sharing their expertise with us all.”