Our story
The Kitchen Garden Foundation
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation was established in 2004 with the sole charitable purpose to enable children and young people to form positive food, health, wellbeing and sustainability skills for life.
Founded by renowned cook and food writer Stephanie Alexander AO, we are a globally-recognised not-for-profit supporting children and young people to receive positive and preventative food education through engaging kitchen and garden classes.
Our evidence-based approach to food education is fun and hands-on to inspire a lifelong love of fresh, seasonal, and delicious food. Children are empowered to learn where food comes from, how to prepare healthy meals from garden-grown produce, and experience the joy of sharing — skills that last a lifetime.
The Kitchen Garden Program
From our very first pilot program at Collingwood College in 2001, Stephanie Alexander’s original vision continues to create meaningful change throughout Australia — from remote communities to urban centres.
Today, the Kitchen Garden Program is the leading provider of food education in Australia, present from remote communities to urban centres. Embedded in over 1,000 schools and early childhood services, we support the delivery of around 3 million food education experiences each year.
Community Initiatives
Since 2021, we also work alongside communities to support children and young people through place-based initiatives that advance local neighbourhood priorities.
Our local project leads bring deep knowledge, strong relationships, and a lived understanding of the community they are part of. This local insight, combined with genuine collaboration, guides our work and creates meaningful, lasting impact.
1000
Over 1,000 schools and early childhood services around Australia run the Kitchen Garden Program.
28000m²
Our kitchen gardens have contributed to more than 28,000m² of green spaces, contributing to urban cooling, air purification, and providing natural habitats.
50%
Over 50% of our work supports children in remote or regional locations across Australia.
Our vision
Healthy children and young people living in sustainable communities across Australia.
Our purpose
We enable children and young people to form positive food habits for life.
“I believe that if our program was part of the educational experience of every child from early learning to adolescence, we would achieve meaningful change in health, education, co-operation and community spirit, cultural tolerance and understanding, and environmental awareness.”
Stephanie Alexander AO, Founder
Keen to dig in?
Experience the proven impact of the Kitchen Garden Program, by reading our Impact Report. Connect with our Kitchen Garden team for personalised advice to get the program up and running in your school, early childhood service or community.
Contact us on 13000 SAKGF (1300 072 543) or membership@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au.