The High Sheriff of Wiltshire Visits to Learn About Our Commitment to Healthy, Sustainable Food

We were honoured to welcome Martin Nye, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, to Snapdragons recently for a special visit focused on one of our core values: nurturing children through healthy, sustainable, and seasonal.

Martin is chair of trustees of the Soil Association, and also has recently started a year of office as the High Sheriff of Wiltshire. In that role, as well as the customary function of supporting the judiciary, police, emergency services and the voluntary sector, he has chosen to spend some time focusing on the theme of "food" - to encompass all aspects of food from farm to fork. He was very keen to hear about our Food for Life Served Here Gold Award from the Soil Association and see how we have maintained the award in our nurseries since 2012.

The visit was an opportunity to showcase the work we do every day to help children build positive relationships with food - from the way we cook to the way we grow it. At Snapdragons, we believe that healthy eating habits begin early, and that it’s our responsibility to offer nutritious, balanced meals made from scratch, using the freshest seasonal ingredients available.

During the visit, our team gave a behind-the-scenes look at our kitchen ethos. Everything we serve is made fresh each day by our talented chefs, who carefully plan menus to ensure a wide variety of tastes, textures, and nutrients. We avoid ultra-processed foods and take pride in introducing children to the natural flavours of wholesome ingredients.

But our approach goes beyond the kitchen. The High Sheriff also had the chance to hear about the supply chain we built up with our supplier, Lovejoys, and explore our gardens, where children are actively involved in growing fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Whether it’s planting seeds, harvesting carrots, or learning how compost works, we teach the children an understanding of where food comes from and why it matters.

This connection to food is at the heart of our sustainability journey. By using seasonal produce and growing ingredients on-site, we reduce food miles and help children appreciate the cycle of nature. It’s all part of a broader commitment to creating a more sustainable future, not just for our nurseries, but for the wider community.

We were thrilled that the High Sheriff took such a keen interest in our food philosophy and spent time speaking with staff and children about the joys of cooking and growing together. It was a valuable moment to reflect on how small, everyday choices—like choosing local veg or cooking a meal from scratch—can have a big impact on health, wellbeing, and the planet.

Martin said it was an “inspiring visit to Broadwood and Atworth Snapdragons nurseries. I saw really appealing healthy and nutritious food being prepared from scratch in the kitchens, and enthusiastic children picking raspberries and strawberries in well-maintained growing areas. A great example of what Food For Life can help passionate and committed people achieve.”

We’d like to thank the High Sheriff for taking the time to visit and for recognising the importance of early years education in shaping a healthier, more sustainable generation.