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Henson is aiming to encourage schools to commit to making their food supply chain transparent for children.

A British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) survey on 27,500 UK children found that nearly a third of five to seven year-olds (29%) believed cheese originates from a plant and more than one in ten of eight to 11-year-olds (13%) thought pasta comes from an animal.

Henson said: “The appreciation and understanding of food starts with children simply knowing how and where the ingredients on their plate were produced, but they don’t.

“They have no idea. Every school dinner has a story to tell - a journey. It leaves a footprint. We need every child to explore it and be inspired and learn from it.”

The service and technology is being provided by Happerley, a non-profit organisation founded by farmers, who empower consumers to learn about where their food comes from.

Happerley founder and farmer Matthew Rymer, added: “The food industry remains one of the least transparent and we are not told the origins of most of the ingredients in our food. Children are particularly susceptible to buying into brands and clever marketing because they do not know or understand better.

"By working through the food chain to deliver the full story of the ingredients that make their school dinners, our hope is we can create a seismic change in understanding for the future that impacts positively on their health and nutrition, the environment and sustainable food production.”

Co-operative Childcare, a national nursery group, has already signed up to the campaign to make their entire food supply chain transparent.

Sally Bonnar, chief operating officer at co-operative Childcare, commented: “We are taking a lead in investing in children’s health, nutrition and wellbeing. From nourished tummies to curious minds, we are working to deliver a big difference to our little ones, parents and communities.

“Our belief is that making educated choices on food and nutrition starts in the nursery and we are the pioneers to do this at a national level.”

For more information visit: https://www.feedmetruth.co.uk.