JAMIE Oliver's school dinner fever has hit two schools in Pembrokeshire this month and I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to taste what was on offer.

Pembrokeshire County Council has been promoting healthy meals for some time - well before Jamie Oliver launched his recent campaign to improve the quality of school meals. And last Tuesday, parents and journalists, myself among them, Pembrokeshire County Council's leader, Cllr John Davies and Cllr Sian James, representatives from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Sustainable Development Fund joined the children for their mealtime break.

Ysgol Bro Ingli in Newport and Tenby Junior School have both been targeted by a 12-month feasibility study to use more fresh, seasonal and local produce in school menus and we were invited for a taster session.

I was pleasantly surprised by the food and somewhat amused to be sitting next to county council leader, Cllr John Davies, on a table designed for seven-year-olds. I found the lunch to be nutritious, fresh and very tasty and yes, I admit, I had second helpings.

However the real examining board were the children. Seven-year-old Matthew Price said: "The food is much nicer now. I like the fresher vegetables and I now have much more energy. "Everyone's asking me why I run so fast and I say its because of the fresh fruit and veg." The project is managed by Elizabeth Callard, the sustainable schools food procurement project officer.

She said: "The success of the meals is evident by how very little food is wasted." Annette Davies, the chief cook at Ysgol Bro Ingli, said: "The kids really love the food. It means a lot more work, but also a lot more satisfaction!"

The project has been funded by the Sustainable Development Fund - administered by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the WDA. It is due to be evaluated this September.

Pictured: Western Telegraph reporter Camilla Horrox prepares to taste a school meal at Ysgol Bro Ingli, Newport. PICTURE: Martin Cavaney Photography.