Dorset Primary receives $60,000 federal grant for a Stephanie Alexander Garden
On the 20th of October I visited Dorset Primary School to announce the awarding of a $60,000 grant for a new Stephanie Alexander Garden.
Students at Dorset Primary are set to join 128 other schools around Australia that are already growing tomatoes, green beans, sweet corn and other veggies while learning about food and healthy eating habits.
A Stephanie Alexander Kitchen garden will teach students how to make healthy choices, they will participate in planting, growing and eating fresh healthy food.
Growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh food promotes healthy eating and healthy lifestyles that will see these kids grow into healthy adults.
The $12.8 million Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program has now provided 178 schools aroundAustraliawith up to $60,000 to help with the construction of kitchen and garden infrastructure.
Students at Dorset Primary will now be able to get their hands dirty in the garden and get involved in growing fresh veggies.
This is a practical way of getting kids involved in making healthy food choices – we’re teaching them that tasty, fresh food can be both fun and good for you.
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program aims to improve nutrition and develop lifelong healthy eating habits among children which is part of the Government’s commitment to preventive health.
The Gillard Government is doing more than any other to keep Australians healthy and out of hospital – that’s why we have invested $872 million, the largest investment ever, in health prevention.
The fourth and final funding round brings the total number of participating schools to 178. The Government has also announced another $1 million for the Foundation over three years to develop curriculum resources to support the program.
For more information about the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program, please see: www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au
