Fresh thinking grows future gardeners

It’s sad but true, many kids these days really do think that peas come from the freezer! However, thanks to the efforts of organisations such as Garden to Table, a few good cooks could make all the difference.  

Last week Garden to Table unveilled plans for a new project at Auckland's Wynyard Quarter; this week we take a closer look at Garden to Table's invovative gardening programme.

Instigated by Kiwi food writer, Catherine Bell, Garden to Table seeks to change the way children approach and think about food. Students aged 7-10 years at participating schools spend time in gardens and home-style kitchens each week, learning how to grow and cook their own seasonal vegetables and fruits.

A few years on and this initiative is already reaping rewards, says Catherine.
 
“There has been a tremendous spin-off into the family thanks to this programme. Families are not just starting to grow things, but cooking from fresh ingredients and sitting around the table eating food together, which is a really important element. It is so encouraging to see.”

Three pilot schools joined in the programme in 2009; today, more than seven schools are involved with others expected to join soon.

“I keep losing count of how many schools are participating because we’re growing quite fast now! The Garden to Table trust has seven schools in the Auckland region, one in Thames and another in Queenstown. Also eight more are possibly coming on board before the end of the year.”  

Catherine says a disconnection between Kiwi kids and their understanding of the food they eat made the programme necessary.  

“If you ask a kid where an apple comes from, they’ll more than likely tell you the supermarket! They often don’t recognise common vegetables, and certainly only a few will recognise more unusual varieties. They don’t know that honey’s made by bees or that potatoes are brown things that grow underground before they’re turned into French fries,” she says.

“There’s a whole missed generation of parents who don’t know enough about where their food comes from either, so they’re unable to pass that knowledge on to their children. But, thanks to Garden to Table, this is changing, and kids are helping to educate their parents and communities.”

Catherine gained inspiration for Garden to Table following the success of a similar programme in Melbourne, Australia, established by fellow food writer, Stephanie Alexander.

“I’ve known Stephanie for many years and I was keen to make her programme available to New Zealand children.

‘It’s a bit of a no-brainer that children need to learn all the aspects of growing, harvesting cooking and sharing food, and I think what Stephanie’s developed is incredibly clever. For kids to learn at school is so sensible and it makes learning more fun. Also, some kids learn far better by doing than sitting in a classroom.”

While Catherine says, to date, there are more than 1000 children participating in the Garden to Table programme each week, further success is dependent on funding.

“The trust seeks funding through grants and we’ve had a lot of support. We are constantly writing applications to try and get in enough funds.”

Garden to Table does not currently have funding available for new schools; however, as Catherine explains, they can still become involved.

“New schools coming on board tend to be non-funded; they can choose to subscribe to the programme but not receive any funding from us. They can participate if they feel they can obtain the resources they need from within their own communities and they still benefit from our support and access to our partners,” says Catherine.

By engaging children’s curiosity, as well as their energy and taste buds, Garden to Table looks set to help foster a new generation of green-fingered kids that know exactly how their gardens grow!

Click here for more information about the Garden to Table programme, or to assist with funding.