Camborne students grew the food and cooked a feast for 70 guests

The herbs in each dish had been seeds in the school garden a few months earlier. The students who planted them were the same ones plating up the courses and telling guests where every ingredient came from.

Students at Camborne Science & International Academy welcomed around 70 guests to a Community Feast celebrating Cornwall’s food culture and the school’s focus on healthy eating and local sourcing.

The evening brought together local farmers, growers, producers, businesses, families and members of the wider community. The point was to show what students had been working on over recent months.

Students led the evening

Students had spent time growing fruit, vegetables and herbs in the school gardens, working with local producers and planning the dishes. On the night, students and staff prepared and served each course together. Students welcomed guests and spoke about the ingredients and the story behind each plate.

Guests watched a short film that followed the project from the first seeds through harvest, preparation and the final feast. Tables carried conversation cards designed to get people from different backgrounds and generations talking.

A menu grown across Cornwall

The food came from producers around the county. The menu featured produce from Trevaskis Farm, Soul Farm, Cornish Tea & Coffee, Cornish Blooms, Brian Etherington, Cornish Cabbage Plants, Riviera Produce, Trink Dairy, Cornhill Farm, Lynher Dairies, Pentire and Rocket Gardens.

The project was developed with Sustainable Food Cornwall and community charity RJ Working. Both supported students through the whole process, from the growing spaces to connections with local food businesses.

Part of a bigger plan

The school says the feast is one piece of a wider ambition to increase the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and help students understand where their food comes from, with healthier and more sustainable choices in mind.

CSIA plans to expand its growing spaces, keep building partnerships with local producers and turn the Community Feast into an annual event.

Emma Haase, Principal at Camborne Science & International Academy, said the evening was about far more than one night.

“We want every student to understand where their food comes from and to experience the benefits of healthy, locally sourced ingredients,” Emma said. “By working alongside local producers and community partners, students have been able to see first-hand the importance of seasonal, local food and the people behind it. This is just the beginning of our journey to transform food culture across our school.”