Monday, August 2022
A vision to create an edible ‘good food rainbow garden’ has won Kenmore Park Kindergarten the supreme coveted grant in the national Growing Good Gardens Grant program thanks to Healthy Harold, Life Ed Australia and Yates.
Surpassing 520 entries nationwide, the Brisbane kindy was awarded the double grant of $2000 for its imaginative entry which envisions a vibrant farm-to-plate garden of herbs, vegetables and diverse fruit trees.
Another nine schools and community groups across the country were awarded a $1,000 Growing Good Gardens Grant to inspire the next generation of budding gardeners to get outside, get their green thumbs on and make healthier choices.
Kenmore Park Kindergarten director Zainab Ali said staff, parents and children were thrilled to receive the coveted double grant for their garden concept which will foster learning on nutrition and the environment and promote physical activity.
“We want our garden to complement our kindy’s philosophy – ‘a rainbow of possibilities,’ ” Ms Zainab said.
“Our goal is to plant a colourful and enticing selection of produce that celebrates Australian Indigenous bush tucker, along with unique selections such as purple snow peas and glass gem corn, and the familiar lettuce, pumpkin, radish, mangoes, strawberries, and tomatoes,” she said.
“Not only will children be able to learn about the life cycle of plants and environmental sustainability, but they’ll also have hands-on experiences with food that increase familiarity with taste and texture and enhance their willingness to try healthy foods.”
Parent and kindy committee grants officer Colleen Hebbert submitted the plans and grant entry on behalf of the Lady Gowrie community kindergarten.
“I can already picture the joy on children’s faces as they join parents, educators and volunteers to plan and plant our good food rainbow garden from scratch and work together to continue nurturing it,” Ms Hebbert said.
“This project will involve our whole community and will be fantastic for the children in terms of educating them about all aspects of food production from planting, growing and harvesting to healthy food preparation and cooking.”
Life Ed Queensland CEO Michael Fawsitt said involving children in gardening was a fun and challenging way to boost healthy eating.
“Children learn so much from being involved in the process of planting and maintaining their own gardens. They become outdoor spaces for fun and hands-on learning,” Mr Fawsitt said.
“Since 2018, our Growing Good Gardens Grant program has helped schools and community groups turn gardening dreams into reality, and ultimately, that’s helping to create healthier minds and bodies.”
Kenmore Park Kindy volunteers are keen to start their rainbow garden project in the coming months and will source produce and materials from local plant nurseries as well as Yates.
Maroochydore’s Memorial Park Community Kindergarten was the second Queensland winner of the Yates and Life Ed Growing Good Gardens Grant. The kindy secured a $1000 grant for their proposed native bee and bush tucker garden on Gubbi Gubbi land.
