School embraces Garden to Table
Haumoana School has been a part of a programme called Garden to Table since last year but has started in earnest last term.
Teacher and co-ordinator of the programme, Jon Lovell, said the school became involved with the programme because its community expressed a desire to offer their children a chance to explore the world of gardening, cooking and hospitality and promote a healthy sustainable lifestyle.
“Each Friday half the class is in the garden planting, and harvesting while the other half are in classroom/kitchen preparing a meal. Today [yesterday] we made roast squash and bacon risotto. Got 10 out of 10 from the kids,” Mr Lovell said.
“Children get the recipe for reading on a Monday then we use the recipe in maths to organise correct portions for cooking. They are able to put learning into real life context. It’s easily their favourite part of the week when all the preparation comes together.”
As part of the programme the school lends pasta machines to the children so they can make pasta at home.
“I came up with the idea when I saw them on sale. The caretaker is still building boxes for them so they can be taken home. We have four of them and are happy for them to be out whenever as long as they are here if we make pasta,” Mr Lovell said.
The Garden to Plate concept has been a success in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, primary and intermediate schools all over the country.
Now schools have the opportunity to introduce the food education programme to their students via a comprehensive online portal.
The charity aims to bring an additional 350 schools across the country into the programme through its online platform. It includes comprehensive resources for the garden, kitchen and volunteers, recipes, instructional videos and a range of curriculum resources aligned with the NZ primary school curriculum to ensure the programme is well integrated with learning outcomes.
Garden to Table executive officer Linda Taylor says the benefits and followon effects of the scheme are huge.
“The programme empowers not only school children but a whole community around them to develop their own creative solutions and take pride in themselves and their environment.
“Schools with Garden to Table report more engaged learning, lower absentee rates on Garden to Table days, and an increased number of children growing and cooking cost- effective and sustainable good food at home,” Mrs Taylor said.
The vision is one shared by wellknown Kiwi chef, restaurateur and author Al Brown, who believes it’s at the core of NZ as a nation and should be nurtured in our children. Mr Brown has come on board as one of Garden to Table’s ambassadors and is keen to see the programme in as many schools around the country as possible.
Mr Brown’s support includes fronting five instructional videos that will be part of the Garden to Table programme and available to participating schools. “The reason I love this programme is that kids develop solid skills and knowledge that will help them make better food choices, and widens their knowledge and awareness. It’s not a ‘you must do this’, ‘you mustn’t do that’ programme. It’s about having fun and learning along the way, and that helps to change behaviour.”
Mrs Taylor said now more than ever primary school-aged children benefit from developing a love of good food and the skills that ensure they know how to grow and prepare that food.
“With childhood obesity an increasing health issue in New Zealand, Garden to
Table delivers a long-term solution to a myriad of health challenges facing our country by encouraging every child in New Zealand to learn how to grow, harvest, prepare and share good food through an ongoing, curriculumintegrated programme.
“The benefits of Garden to Table are myriad,” Ms Taylor said. “We are seeing improvements in children’s health and wellbeing, behaviour and self-esteem, and increased community engagement.
“Our aim is to help every school in New Zealand establish a Garden to Table programme, and the online platform makes this possible. We strongly encourage schools, parents and local businesses to get in touch if they would like to know more about Garden to Table.”