Pupils from Woodborough School were today invited along to Mullens Farm to celebrate the beginning of the British Pea Shoots season. The Vitacress farm, situated near Pewsey in Wiltshire welcomed Woodborough's year five students to meet the grower, discover more about British Pea Shoots - the young leaves of the traditional pea plant and learn about the journey that our food takes from farm to fork.

Pea Shoots are grown on Mullens Farm in Wiltshire from end of April to October in natural sunlight, meaning that pupils from Woodborough School were lucky enough to see and pick some of this season's first harvest. Vitacress farmer Andy Elworthy also invited students to learn about growing and harvesting Pea Shoots and then offered a tour of Mullens Farm on the farm tractor which proved very popular!

Andy Elworthy commented ‘It has been terrific to have Woodborough School here today learning more about Pea Shoots. Educating young people about natural produce and the value of nutritious ingredients like Pea Shoots is important to develop food and lifestyle choices from an early age. It is also great for children to see how a local farm works to supply the nation's largest retailers with fresh produce. For me it is wonderful to see a local school working with our local business in support for British produce.'

Michelle Ashby from Woodborough School says ‘Today has offered pupils the opportunity to discover more about British produce firsthand and it has been wonderful for the children to learn about the journey from the farm onto their dinner plate. I think everyone is excited about the prospect of growing their own Pea Shoots in the class room.'

Pea Shoots are stocked nationwide at selected stores of Marks & Spencer (50g RSP 99p) and Sainsbury's (50g RSP £1)