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Rainbow Garden wins supreme grant in the national Growing Good Gardens program
Freya Lucas
Aug 23, 2022
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The children and educators from Kenmore Park Kindergarten are rejoicing after winning the supreme grant in the national Growing Good Gardens Grant program which will support their vision of an edible ‘good food rainbow garden’.
Supported by Healthy Harold, Life Ed Australia and Yates, the Growing Good Gardens Grant program attracted more than 520 entries this year.Kenmore Park will use the $2000 grant to bring its imaginative entry to life, showcasing a vibrant farm-to-plate garden of herbs, vegetables and diverse fruit trees.
Along with Kenmore Park Kindy, 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, activate their green thumbs and make healthier choices.
“We want our garden to complement our kindy’s philosophy - a rainbow of possibilities,” Kenmore Park Director, Zainab Ali explained.
“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.”
“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 committee member Colleen Hebbert submitted the plans and grant entry on behalf of the kindergarten, saying she 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.”
The project will involve the entire kindergarten community and will support the children to learn more about food production, from planting, growing and harvesting to healthy food preparation and cooking.
Congratulating the kindergarten on its success, 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,” he shared.
“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 will start the rainbow garden project within the next few months and are keen to source produce and materials from local plant nurseries as well as Yates.
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