Media release from Stephanis Alexander Foundation...
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation started the implementation of a new Kitchen Garden Program at Nunawading Primary School on 3 April 2006. The Program is aimed at teaching young children how to grow and eat good food every day of their lives.
Nunawading Primary School is a small suburban multicultural school located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and has an enrollment of 130 children. Over the last year they have been working to establish a small vegetable and herb garden and this will be expanded to cover a wide range of vegetables, herbs and fruit to support the kitchen garden program.
Noted chef and cooking author, Stephanie Alexander said: “Having received 54 submissions from around Victoria, it was an extremely difficult decision to make. There were so many enthusiastic schools, but at present the Foundation only has the funds to support one school in addition to its present involvement with Collingwood College in Melbourne.
"The aim is to conduct an evaluation of the program with Deakin University School of Health and Social Development at Nunawading Primary School and Collingwood College. This will investigate the effectiveness and benefits of engaging children in growing and preparing food in a pleasurable way. It will ascertain whether the Program results in positive change regarding food knowledge and food choices that will benefit a child for life.
"The introduction of the Program at Nunawading Primary School will see each child in grades three to six spend one period each week in the garden. Here, they will learn about soil, planting, propagating and harvesting. Once the garden is producing fresh, seasonal food each child will spend 1.5 hours every week in the kitchen preparing meals using the produce from the garden. They will then spend time together sharing the meal and learning to engage with others around the table.
"There is considerable work to be done in establishing the garden and building a kitchen and meal sharing area and it is hoped that the work and associated costs will be supported by the parents, the local community and some corporate sponsors.
“We are incredibly excited to have been chosen to implement the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program at the school. The pupils and teachers are very keen to get started. We have had enormous interest from the parents and we look forward to involving the wider community in our project”, said Glenda Gauntlett, Prinicpal at Nunawading Primary School.
Media inquiries: Kate Quirke P: 0419768582 Or
