To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, the organisation’s community partner, Coles, is offering 20 early childhood services or schools a Start Small, Dream Big grant.
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program is suitable for schools and early childhood services of all sizes and capabilities. Starting small and dreaming big is at the heart of our philosophy. Children can experience the joys of growing, harvesting, preparing, and sharing food – even if they’re just starting out with a few potted herbs and a portable kitchen trolley.
Applications for the grants are open now and close on Friday, 7 June.
What’s on offer?
Grant recipients will receive $1500 to spend on setting up or expanding your school’s cooking and gardening facilities. This might include purchasing garden beds, adding a compost tumbler, upgrading your cooking facilities or stocking up your pantry.
Plus, each Start Small, Dream Big grant recipient will receive a two-year membership to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program (valued at over $1,000). Membership includes:
- Access to more than 1000 recipes and curriculum-linked learning resources on the online resource and community hub, the Shared Table. Take a sneak peek and download a sample pack.
- A printed resource pack of workbooks and guides to get you started.
- A class set of aprons.
- 4x spots in professional development webinars.
- Access to one-on-one online catchups with the experienced Support Team.
- Access to face-to-face professional development, right around the country.
- Plus loads more!
How to apply
Complete a short online application form and explain how this grant could help you to ‘start small’ in the kitchen or garden – and share what ‘big dreams’ you have for your Kitchen Garden Program.
Why you should apply
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program has direct links with the Australian curriculum and teaches children and young people how to grow, harvest, prepare, and share fresh and delicious food. 97 per cent of teachers agree that the program is engaging for students and aids learning across other subject areas.
- Evidence shows that the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program greatly impacts children’s knowledge, confidence, and skills in cooking and gardening.
- The program supports students with life-long skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
- Students understand how to care for themselves and the environment and have increased opportunities to explore the natural environment by having a space to keep fit and feel calm.
For schools that are yet to explore this long-running educational program, the grants can be the ideal entry point to help get started and share a love of sustainable gardening and cooking with their own students.
