Benefits
For schools
For the wider school communities
For children
The Kitchen Garden Program helps children to:
- Develop new skills in the kitchen and garden that equip them to lead lives that are not dependent on processed foods
Develop an understanding of the time needed for important things to happen, e.g. vegetables growing, bread dough rising
Experience new foods, new flavours and new textures
Develop an appreciation of fresh, seasonal food
Learn and record specific vocabulary to describe the textures, tastes and sights they experience
Record their experiences through class diaries
Develop confidence and self-esteem
Enjoy physical activity
Develop cooperative behaviour, as all work is done as part of a small group
Develop social skills at the table, e.g. sharing, conversation
Develop deeper understandings and tolerance of cultural difference by exposure to other culinary traditions
Develop strong relationships with adults other than the class teacher or parent, e.g. volunteers
Develop a practical understanding of environmental issues such as soil health, water management, seed-saving, organic pest control and the importance of plant diversity
See the link between good food choices and optimum health
Develop a better understanding of the relationship between the garden and the table.
Watch and listen to the Year 3 children at Collingwood College as they recount their experiences in the Kitchen Garden Program:
The Kitchen Garden Program at Collingwood College

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For schools
The Kitchen Garden Program helps schools to:
- Achieve learning outcomes through an innovative, hands-on approach
Create excitement within the school community
Build students’, families’ and local communities’ pride in their school, which has flow-on effects such as increased enrolments and less vandalism
Maintain a facility that can also be used for community purposes, before and after school care groups and special celebrations, and which can be hired for extra income
Be recognised as a valuable contributor to educational innovation.
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For the wider school communities
The Kitchen Garden Program helps wider school communities to:
- Build internal and external community networks and connections during community meetings, the construction phase and ongoing maintenance
Make connections within families, providing a new opportunity for children, parents and families to discuss what happens in the Kitchen Garden Program and apply what is learnt (growing things, cooking things) at home.
Connect diverse people with common interests, such as through volunteer participation and local business sponsorship
Promote a wider participation in the school and local community, through activities such as workshops, fundraisers, exhibitions and fairs.
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