Nurturing a love for healthy food, Warwick early childhood centres Goodstart Wood Street and Whispering Gully Childcare are embarking on a green journey, thanks to their share of a generous $25,000 in small grants from the nonprofit HealthWISE.
This initiative aims to foster a deeper connection with food among children, with nine centres across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales set to benefit. Through these grants, children will learn the fundamentals of growing, harvesting, and preparing fresh fruits and vegetables, laying the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits.
Shaun Banham, educator and sustainability leader at Goodstart, expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasising the profound impact of planting a garden.
“The garden will instil a sense of purpose and responsibility in our children, promoting mindfulness, stimulating their senses, and nurturing the future farmers within them,” Banham said.
Each centre will receive grants of up to $3000, which will be allocated towards the development of kitchen gardens. Additionally, they will gain membership in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, an online platform offering professional development and resources for educators establishing kitchen gardens.
This marks the second year of the initiative, following the successful establishment of kitchen gardens in 15 centres in 2023 as part of the HealthWISE Gift Fund. This fund is dedicated to supporting community projects that promote health and wellbeing.
Kritika Jain, Health Promotion Officer at HealthWISE, expressed excitement about extending support to more early childhood education centres through the HealthWISE Gift Fund grants.
“Encouraging fruit and vegetable intake through kitchen garden initiatives not only enhances nutrition but also cultivates positive food habits for a healthier life, reinforcing the vital connection between a healthy body, mind, and environment,” Jain said.
As these kitchen gardens take root, they are poised to become nurturing spaces where children can cultivate a love for wholesome food and embark on a journey towards a healthier future.
