Our short-term goals

• To continue to support Kitchen Garden Schools across Australia



• To provide a Kitchen Garden model that can be replicated in all interested schools
  
  
• To continue to implement a National Kitchen Garden Program, in up to 190 schools Australia-wide between 2008 and 2012.

Our long-term goal

• To see the Kitchen Garden model and approach to pleasurable food education integrated into the primary school curriculum across Australia.

Our values

• The best way to encourage children to choose food that is healthy is to engage them in fun, hands-on experiences in growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh, delicious food from the earliest possible age.



• No one embraces change in their behaviour if they think it will be unpleasant, uncomfortable or too difficult. Cautionary messages that food is 'good-for-you' or 'bad-for-you' do not resonate with young people.



• Children are more likely to experiment with foods they have grown or prepared themselves.



• Lifelong eating habits are developed early.



• Children need positive models in their lives to reinforce that eating with others is a joyful activity, and one that they can enjoy as long as they live.



• Many young children do not receive such positive experiences at home, and therefore schools should consider including rich and interdisciplinary programs that will fill this gap, as well as giving practical skills that will enable young people to take more responsibility for their own physical wellbeing.



• The causes of obesity are complex and there is not one single solution, but that children who are encouraged to take a broad and active interest in food and the table from a very young age are more likely to maintain a positive attitude to food throughout their lifetimes.