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Learning Centre officially opened!
09-11-2011

Federal Minister for Education Peter Garrett AM MP and Stephanie Alexander officially opened our Learning Centre on Tuesday 8 November. The Learning Centre, located at Collingwood College, forms the heart of the expansion of the Kitchen Garden Program across Australia into primary schools and helps deliver the philosophy of the Kitchen Garden Program to the public.

Mr Garrett and Stephanie were treated to a delicious array of spring dishes made from produce fresh from the garden and prepared by Collingwood College students. The opening began with a wander through the garden with the students before discussing the harvest and setting to work in the kitchen.

The Learning Centre was officially opened by Mr Garrett and Stephanie with the unveiling of a plaque before both speaking about the benefits of the Kitchen Garden Program. Mr Garrett said ‘The hugely successful Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program shows students how to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh food; encouraging them to connect with the source of their food and to learn healthy lessons for life.'

Malaz, a student from Collingwood College, spoke about what the Kitchen Garden Program means to her.' I cannot ever imagine not having a Kitchen Garden Program at our school, it is very, very amazing to have this Program. I have learnt to make amazing, yumilicious dishes and I value where the food is coming from and that it's organic.'

The Learning Centre space encompasses a beautiful, productive teaching garden and a fully-equipped home-style teaching kitchen. It is a place where teachers learn how to connect students' academic learning with practical skills that promote lifelong wellbeing. The Centre also hosts public workshops covering a vast array of kitchen and garden skills. School staff trained at the Learning Centre include Kitchen and Garden Specialists, Classroom Teachers and Principals all engaged in delivering the Kitchen Garden Program to primary school students.

Stephanie and Mr Garrett helped the children prepare five dishes in the beautiful Learning Centre teaching kitchen:

  • Broad bean & mint bruschetta
  • Empanadas with sautéed silver beet, currants & pinenuts
  • Minestrone with cavolo nero
  • Risotto with fennel spring onions mascarpone parmesan & parsley
  • Spiced carrot fritters with cumin & coriander leaves

All made with ingredients harvested fresh from the garden and prepared by students from Collingwood College with the help of some kitchen volunteers (read more about our much-loved Kitchen Garden School Volunteers here).

The day was a huge success. Stephanie said ‘Research shows there are vast educational, health and social benefits from growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh, delicious food. The Learning Centre helps bring these benefits to the wider community'.

 





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