Cornish Pasty Association raises £20,000 for schools

The Cornish Pasty Association raised £20,000 during Cornish Pasty Week for schools across the country

Cornish pasty makers have helped raise a record £20,000 to help schools pay for equipment, ingredients, cookery lessons and field trips.

The Cornish Pasty Association said it raised the money for a community fund during Cornish Pasty Week between 26 February and 3 March.

It said the money would now be handed out to schools in Cornwall.

Chairman Jason Jobling said the group had been "overwhelmed" by the support.

During the week, members of the association visited two schools - Sandy Hill Academy near St Austell and Halwin Primary School near Helston - and helped the pupils make Cornish pasties.

The Cornish Pasty Association asked makers and bakers to donate a portion of money to its community fund from each pasty they sold during the week.

In 2023, the association raised £14,500 for the Devon and Cornwall Food Action charity.

It said pasty makers and eaters were able to raise even more this year through pasty sales, with £20,000 raised in the end.

'Helping youngsters learn'

Mr Jobling said the association wanted to show how much it valued Cornwall and its people by visiting schools and teaching the pupils about pasty making.

"Helping youngsters learn about food and, of course, pasty making, therefore felt like a natural and fitting way for us to do that," he said.

"Others seem to agree, because we have been overwhelmed by support from the entire Cornish pasty community."

The association said 20 schools had already been supported by the money.

Schools can still apply for a share of the fund by visiting the association's website.