General Mills continues its support of popular ECEC kitchen garden program

General Mills Australia has announced its continued support of the popular Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program, which helps children of all ages, including early childhood, to develop healthy food habits to carry them through life. 

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation has offered the Kitchen Garden Program since 2001, ensuring children have access to pleasurable food education that teaches them both the joy and importance of preparing nourishing food through a unique hands-on and curriculum-linked approach.

The Kitchen Garden Program for Early Childhood is a play-based, hands-on program that promotes a whole-service approach to teaching children about fresh, seasonal, delicious food.  

Adaptable to any early childhood setting and with a ‘start small, dream big’ approach, the Kitchen Garden Program for Early Childhood encourages children to connect with nature and themselves.

The program also supports implementation of the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) National Quality Standard (NQS), and links pleasurable food education to outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

General Mills Australia will provide over $100,000 through the grant, allowing the program to continue the work being done in more than 1,000 schools and early childhood services, reaching children in every Australian state and territory.

General Mills ANZ Managing Director Matt Salter said supporting the Kitchen Garden Program is a meaningful way to help children, adding that the company believes that “every individual, family and community should be food secure and free from hunger”. 

“The Kitchen Garden Program does a fantastic job in teaching young Australians how fresh produce gets from the paddock to the plate, providing them with life-long food preparation skills,” he said.

“Plus, it’s all about fun! Bringing joy to the table is something General Mills prides itself on. We know it works, which is why we’re proud to support the program for a third year.”

Commenting on behalf of the Foundation, Chair Ian Sanders said the grant will go a long way in supporting the program. 

“Our vision is to help every Australian child form positive food habits, for life,” Mr Sanders said.

“The critical funding provided by General Mills will go towards building kitchen and garden infrastructure in low socioeconomic areas, ensuring the Kitchen Garden Program reaches even more Aussie kids (sic.) ”

For more information on the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, visit the website.