Local Government

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation has a strong history of collaborating with local government authorities and community health organisations to deliver a range of health, education and community benefits.

Positive food habits for life

A kitchen garden program offers an opportunity to implement and embed your community’s Health and Wellbeing Plan by supporting positive health outcomes for children and young people.

A joint 2007–2009 Deakin University and University of Melbourne evaluation shows that the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program encourages positive health behaviour changes in participating children. View the complete evaluation report here.

Engaging children and young people in fun and meaningful learning

Children and young people participating in kitchen garden programs are highly engaged learners because pleasurable food education is fun!

Kitchens and gardens are powerful learning spaces where they can learn through practical, real-life experience.

This style of food education is widely supported by government Education and Health Departments in Australia, as well as by World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

Bringing the community together

A kitchen garden program is a catalyst for building social cohesion and community resilience. It’s where educators, children and young people, families, members of the community and businesses come together to share food, learning and fun.

Kitchen garden events, such as the passata making day at St Raphael’s Primary School, in Victoria, can bring together the broader community and local schools.

Volunteers are an essential part of a kitchen garden program. A kitchen garden program creates more opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, carers and members of the community within the school.

Spending time outdoors and learning about nature

Gardens give children and young people a chance to spend time outdoors. They are the ideal setting to learn about the natural environment, the seasons and the grown environment.

Garden classes build confidence, encourage teamwork, help develop creative-thinking skills and motivate children and young people to embrace a healthy, active and sustainable lifestyle.

A down-to-earth approach to food security

Kitchen garden programs provide hands-on understanding of food systems. They give children, young people and the broader community the skills and knowledge to actively contribute to food security.

What we offer

Customised professional development for council and community health promotion teams.
Building capacity and networking to promote health and sustainability in primary, secondary schools and early childhood services in your region.
Flexible membership package options for early childhood, primary and secondary schools.

How local governments are planting the seeds of a healthier future

Read this article and watch this video to find out how Brimbank City Council has worked with the Kitchen Garden Foundation to help nine schools in its area start a kitchen garden program. Whitehorse City Council has also supported schools and services in their area; you can find out more here.

Any questions? Contact our friendly Support Team on 13000 SAKGF (13000 72543) or support@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au