A PRIMARY school which is promoting healthy eating by growing its own fresh produce is in line for a top award.

Pupils at St Barnabas CE Primary School, in the Leeman Road area of York, are running a Community Cook Shop, as part of an educational project to teach the children about sustainable communities.

The children have teamed up with teachers at the school and members of the local community to run a “healthy restaurant” once a week.

They prepare, cook and serve healthy, home-grown food for themselves and the community.

Thanks to the pupils’ hard work, the school has been nominated under the Best Primary School project category of The Press’s Community Pride Awards.

Head teacher Helen Davey said: “The project has been designed to help our pupils recognise the value of community. It comes from our belief that if children feel they belong to a rich society that can offer them good opportunities and support, then they will in turn become responsible adults.”

She said the cook shop was founded and run entirely by the children.

“The pupils themselves have directed this project,” she said. “They have worked well together to write applications for funding, letters to parents and letters to local shop keepers. The Community Cook Shop began as the children recognised that there was a need to make better use of the food that they grow in the allotment. They decided to set up a morning one a week, every week, where pupils harvested food from the allotment.

“With this food they would cook themselves lunch. They planned their morning so that they would harvest, go shopping at a local shop, cook together and eat together. One pupil from each year will work with a member of staff and a member of the school community.”

This is the second year running St Barnabas has been nominated in this category of the Community Pride Awards, run in conjunction with the City of York Council.

The Press still needs nominees for the Community Pride Awards.

If you know of someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the community we would love to hear about them. To nominate someone, simply fill in the entry form.

Send in a non-returnable picture of your nominee along with a supporting statement to Community Pride Awards, Paula Homer, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN, or email us at editor@thepress.co.uk