SCHOOLS IN MACEDON RECEIVE FOOD EDUCATION FUNDING
Students at Coimadai Primary School in Macedon will soon embark on two years of nourishing, hands-on food education as part of a partnership between health promotion foundation VicHealth and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.
By embedding fun and inclusive food education into these schools, the partnership supports children to develop lifelong skills in growing, preparing, and enjoying fresh, seasonal food. The Kitchen Garden Program embeds hands-on food education into schools, helping children learn to grow, cook and enjoy fresh, seasonal food. It’s about building lifelong skills, confidence and connection, with benefits that reach beyond the school gate.
Schools will use the funding to address food insecurity, rebuilding gardens, fostering a whole-school approach to nourishing food, and a desire to share fresh food with the wider community. Specialist schools highlighted the need for adapted tools and inclusive learning environments.
Coimadai Primary School will receive a two-year Kitchen Garden Program membership and a $1,500 grant for new equipment. Membership includes curriculum linked lesson plans, professional development, and tailored support to help educators deliver engaging, inclusive food education.
All schools will also join the Vic Kids Eat Well program with advice from a local health promotion professional on simple steps to boost nourishing food and drinks in their school environment.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for students at Coimadai to get hands-on with food education. With support from VicHealth, the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation is giving students in our area food skills that will help them lead healthy lives, while also strengthening their connection to the wider community.”
CEO of the Kitchen Garden Foundation, Rob Rees MBE DL, said: “These grants highlight the strong demand from communities across Victoria for a whole-school approach to hands-on, engaging food education.”
“With over two decades of experience, our Foundation equips educators with practical lesson plans, tailored training, and a dedicated support hotline - making us Australia’s most impactful provider of food education.”
“Inclusivity and diversity are at the heart of our work. Evidence shows our Kitchen Garden Program has a particularly powerful impact in communities facing socio-educational barriers, with more than half of our schools in regional and remote areas.”
“We’re proud to work alongside VicHealth to help more children experience the joy and lifelong benefits of growing, harvesting, preparing, and sharing fresh food."
VicHealth CEO Professor Anna Peeters said: “Supporting schools to create hands-on food education experiences helps set young people up for healthier futures. When students learn to grow, cook and share fresh food, they gain more than practical skills they build confidence, connection and lifelong healthy habits.”
“These grants mean more schools can bring food education to life in their classrooms and communities, supporting Victorian kids to develop a love of good food.”
Together, VicHealth and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation are helping the next generation of Victorians develop a love of good food, and the skills to make it part of everyday life.
About the partnership
VicHealth is investing $2.7m over three years, to ensure more young Victorians have the chance to develop lifelong skills and confidence in cooking and gardening through the globally-renowned Kitchen Garden Program.
Thanks to this partnership, Victorian schools have already received open access recipes, a free food education resource and opportunities to attend online and in-person professional development.
