Junior School Grows Lifelong Skills in Kitchen and Garden Program

One of the highlights at the Junior School in recent years has been the time students spend in the kitchen and garden with Mrs Annabel Biagi. Every Wednesday, and Thursday, students from ELC to Year 6 roll up their sleeves to cultivate essential life skills, learning about gardening and food preparation. Working alongside their classroom teachers and integrating their Unit of Inquiry studies, students actively participate in tending the gardens and cooking in the kitchen. ‘The kitchen/garden program showcases the benefits of growing fresh, healthy produce and instilling healthy habits from a young age.’ Annabel emphasises. The College’s gardens yield a bounty of fruits and vegetables that are featured in their recipes, while the chickens consistently provide fresh eggs.

Every Wednesday morning, Faith Lutheran College hosts a produce stall in the Kiss and Drop area, where parents and friends can purchase fresh, organic fruits and vegetables from the school gardens, as well as homemade relishes crafted from this produce. Annabel who has been facilitating the program for the past five years reflects ‘I love witnessing the joy on students' faces, especially during our cooking lessons. Most students love helping in the kitchen and I love seeing their faces when they try new foods and really enjoy it.’ The program has continued to thrive this year, bolstered by a generous grant from the Barossa Co-op. Some of the funds have already been used to purchase a dehydrator, scales, and a blender. Proceeds from the sale of dehydrated fruits and other products are reinvested to support the ongoing needs of the garden and kitchen program.