New Victorian grants for school food education
What could your school grow with extra support? Through our partnership with VicHealth, 30 Victorian schools will receive a two-year membership to the Kitchen Garden Program (valued at $1650), plus a $1500 infrastructure grant to invest in new kitchen garden equipment and supplies.
VicHealth and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation are partnering to ensure more young Victorians can develop lifelong skills and confidence in cooking and gardening through preventative, positive food education and the Kitchen Garden Program.
We believe every child deserves the chance to dig their hands into the soil, harvest vegetables straight from the garden, and enjoy sharing a meal with their classmates. Whether your school is just starting out or looking to expand your existing kitchen garden activities, this grant is designed to help you embed food, garden and wellbeing education across the curriculum.
Who can apply?
This grant is open to Victorian government primary schools, including specialist schools and combined schools with primary-aged students. To be eligible, schools must have an ICSEA value of 1000 or below. You can find your school’s ICSEA value on My School.
Please note that current members of the Kitchen Garden Program are not eligible for this grant.
What’s included?
Each successful school will receive a two-year membership to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program (valued at $1650), plus $1500 to spend on kitchen and garden equipment and infrastructure.
Your Kitchen Garden Program membership includes:
- Professional development opportunities in-person and online.
- Unlimited webinars supporting you to deliver pleasurable food education.
- 1000+ recipes, lesson plans and activities on our online resource library and our community hub the Shared Table.
- A printed resources package with all the workbooks and inspiration to get started.
- Five days a week Support Team offering personalised advice.
The benefits
Running a Kitchen Garden Program is a great way to enhance a whole-school approach to nutrition and student wellbeing.
Our approach empowers children and young people to develop practical skills, an appreciation of seasonal produce, and a positive, confident and healthy relationship with food — for life.
It also supports your school’s progress through other state-wide initiatives such as the Achievement Program, the Healthy Eating Advisory Service and Vic Kids Eat Well.
The 30 successful schools will receive tailored support through Vic Kids Eat Well, including advice from a health promotion professional and access to tools and resources.
How to apply?
If your school meets all eligibility criteria, apply below. Applications close on 19 September 2025.
For details on this opportunity or to learn more about the benefits of the Kitchen Garden Program in your school, please contact us at membership@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au.
You can also join us online for a free Kitchen Garden Program Information Session on 10 September for an introduction to pleasurable food education and the benefits of a Kitchen Garden Program membership.
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