Young traders sell their harvest produce at Borough Market

Last Thursday's harvest sale was the culmination of a partnership between Borough Market and School Food Matters, a charity whose mission is to ensure that every child enjoys fresh, sustainable food at school and understands where their food comes from.

With the help of funding from United St Saviour's Charity, the programme started back in May when pupils received a masterclass from Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins.

These novice gardeners are now reaping the rewards of a sun-filled summer with bumper crops of squash, herbs, apples, beetroot and chard.

The children raised £350 from the sale which will be donated to Walworth Garden Farm.

Five students from each school will be visiting the farm later this month to learn all about the work of this local charity and to discover where money raised will be used.

"Borough Market traders were given a run for their money today," said managing director Keith Davis.

"For hundreds of years traders have brought produce to market and the children from the School Food Matters project are no different.

"Providing knowledge and inspiring people about good food and sustainability is really important to Borough Market. So come down, dig deep for a great cause and purchase some cracking quality produce, nurtured from seed to stall."

Stephanie Wood, founder and director of School Food Matters, said: "We are hugely grateful to Borough Market and United St Saviour's Charity for inviting us back to Borough this year so that even more local children can experience the joys of growing and harvesting fresh autumn veg.

"This year the children have benefitted from top tips from the market's traders to help them develop their enterprise skills so we can look forward to seeing them turn their veg into cash for Walworth Garden Farm. This is food education at its very best!"