Pupils from a Barking school received an award for their “outstanding” work on healthy eating at a ceremony in central London.

Northbury Junior School in North Street, Barking, joined 13 other London and South East schools yesterday to receive their bronze award from the Food for Life Partnership, which helps schools provide fresh, well-sourced and nutritious meals.

The partnership also works to inform children, adults and teachers about nutrition and where their food comes from.

Northbury Pupils Zuhura Abdi and Muhamary Kiherille said: “We see the whole process from the seed, watering it and taking the fruit and vegetables to the kitchen to have in our school meals.”

The pupils were served a fresh, seasonal and locally sourced lunch and took part in a seed sowing workshop.

The ceremony at 15 Hatfields in Chadwick Court was attended by Food for Life policy advisor Jeanette Orrey and the awards were presented by TV presenter Stefan Gates.

Ms Orrey said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to meet pupils, teachers and cooks involved in the Food for Life Partnership and present their award.

“These schools are going above and beyond to teach children about where food comes from, how to cook and about healthy eating.”

The free Food for Life initiative is led by the Soil Association, a charity campaigning for healthy, humane and sustainable food, farming and land use.

For more information visit www.foodforlife.org.uk