Produce from Leicestershire farms will soon be going straight from the land into school kitchens as part of a £1.6m initiative.

The county council has decided not to renew its contract with catering company, Eden, when it ends next May.

Instead it wants to use locally-grown produce, which will pour a six-figure sum into the rural economy.

Over £100,000 worth of cheese alone and £35,000 of milk are being swallowed annually by the county’s schools.

Education chiefs are already negotiating with farms in a move that has been welcomed by the NFU: “It’s a win-win situation for everybody,” said a spokesman. “These children are the consumers of the future and it will also educate them about where their food comes from.”

Leicestershire’s school food spokeswoman Wendy Philip, said: “We hope that all schools will eventually be involved in working with local farmers.”

• For more on connecting with schoolchildren, see p18.