Yarra Valley Health Promoting Schools – Kitchen Garden Programs

Schools are being encouraged to reinvigorate their school gardens and kitchen garden programs as a key method to promote healthy eating and teach children and young people how to grow and prepare food. The programs also assist schools to achieve the healthy eating and oral health benchmark of the Healthy Schools Achievement Program.

Successful active programs feature in Warburton Primary School, Toolangi Primary School, Wesburn Primary School, Gladysdale Primary School and Badger Creek Primary School. Two of these schools are currently on target to meet the healthy eating and oral health benchmark in 2019-20.

Schools are also participating in cook offs with other schools and their meals are judged by judges (just like Master Chef). Warburton Primary School recently participated in a cook off at Silvan Primary School, and plan to host their own cook off with Yarra Valley schools next year.

Health Promotion at Eastern Health recently launched a Yarra Valley School Kitchen Gardener of the Year award in 2019 to acknowledge the significant contribution of local community gardeners in ensuring children have the opportunity to learn how to grow food, cook and prepare meals. Seven nominations for the award were received and the winner, Michelle Mock from Gladysdale Primary School, was announced at a recent celebration at Badger Creek Primary School. All nominees received certificates of appreciation for their work in schools.

Organisation: Eastern Health

Contact: Irene.DunnePfeiffer@easternhealth.org.au