Australia: Partnership hopes to empower schools, early childhood services

Australian grower of fresh fruit and vegetables Costa Group and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation (SAKFG) have teamed up in a new three-year partnership aimed at empowering schools and early childhood services across Australia.

Over the three-year partnership 30 schools, linked to regions where Costa has farms, will specifically receive a grant to become members of the Kitchen Garden Program. Through the partnership, Costa will also support the 1000 existing schools that currently participate in the program and sponsor an award category at the National Kitchen Garden Awards.

Costa Group CEO Marc Werner said the choice to sponsor the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation was an easy one.

"For over 20 years the Foundation has been at the forefront of successfully giving children and young people across Australia practical and hands-on experience in both growing and eating fresh and healthy food," Mr Werner said.

"In a country like Australia, which produces so much fresh and healthy food, the rate of chronic and preventable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity amongst all ages is sadly far too high. This situation needs to change. One of the most important things Costa can do is contribute to improved health and wellbeing, which reduces the incidence of chronic disease and morbidity.

"We know that an effective way to do this is through educating children about the benefits of eating a balanced and nutritional diet, which includes regular serves of fresh fruit and vegetables, and we are delighted to be teaming up with the Foundation in this new partnership."

For over 20 years, the SAKGF has centered on pleasurable food education, encouraging children and young people to understand and connect with fresh food through fun, hands-on learning.

Cathy Wilkinson, SAKGF CEO, welcomed the collaboration with Costa Group.

"Our Kitchen Garden Program inspires educators around Australia to empower children with essential health, nutrition, sustainability and learning skills – for life," Ms Wilkinson said.

"We are very proud to work alongside Costa Group who share our vision of equipping communities across Australia with preventative, positive education about fresh, delicious food."