More schools supported to run food literacy programme

More schools supported to run food literacy programme, thanks to $28,500 grant

A national programme that is changing the way children approach and think about food has been able to add more schools thanks to a $28,500 grant from the Medibank Community Fund.

The Garden to Table Trust’s programme sees children aged 7 to 10 enthusiastically getting their hands dirty and learning how to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, seasonal food.

The programme’s philosophy of sustainable practices, healthy eating, class participation and sharing, and hands-on learning can be delivered in a way that matches schools’ resources and needs, connecting specialist garden and kitchen teachers as well as classroom teachers, families, volunteers and the community.

Around 10 new schools have joined the Garden to Table programme in recent months, including the first schools in Hawke’s Bay and Nelson, bringing the total number to 31.

Garden to Table Trust Executive Officer Anne Barrowclough says the grant means the trust will have the resources to support the programme’s rapid growth.

“Our job is to help schools to get the programme well bedded in during the first 18 month start-up period. The Medibank Community Fund grant has allowed us to get that resource in place earlier so these new schools can come on board.”

She says Garden to Table schools commit to a dynamic and innovative model that sees weekly kitchen and garden classes, enabling skills-based learning that extends across the entire school curriculum.

“Schools cross all decile levels and each has its own challenges and successes. But all are united in their passion to bring the benefits of food education to their students.”

The Garden to Table Trust is one of five New Zealand projects to receive grants totalling nearly $100,000 from the Medibank Community Fund in 2015. For the first time, Kiwis were able to vote for the initiative they believed would be of most benefit to their community from five finalists shortlisted by Medibank Health Solutions.

“We’re thrilled that the Medibank Community Fund supports our vision and chose us to be a finalist, and we’re very grateful to the many people around the country who voted for us,” says Ms Barrowclough.

Medibank New Zealand General Manager Andrea Pettett says the Medibank Community Grants programme is an important investment in community health, supporting local initiatives that encourage healthy eating, physical activity or community connectedness.

“We received a record number of grant applications and it’s clear that organisations all over New Zealand are keen to improve both the mental and physical wellbeing of their communities.”

She says all the projects are making important contributions to the health and wellbeing of local communities and responding to the particular needs of specific groups.

ENDS

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