Australia's fresh fruit and vegetable grower, Costa Group, has entered a three-year partnership with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation (SAKGF) to support schools and early childhood services across the country.
The partnership aims to expand access to the Kitchen Garden Program, providing children with hands-on learning experiences focused on fresh food and sustainability. Over the course of three years, 30 schools located in regions where Costa operates will receive grants to join the program. Additionally, Costa will support the 1,000 schools already participating and sponsor an award category at the National Kitchen Garden Awards.
Costa Group CEO Marc Werner highlighted the reasoning behind the company's involvement, noting that the foundation has played a significant role in teaching children about fresh food and healthy eating for over two decades.
"In Australia, where a large amount of fresh produce is grown, the prevalence of preventable diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity remains a concern. There is a need for greater awareness about the importance of a balanced diet, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables," Werner stated.
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation has focused on food education for over 20 years, encouraging children to engage with fresh food through interactive learning experiences.
Cathy Wilkinson, CEO of SAKGF, emphasized the program's role in equipping children with essential skills related to health, nutrition, and sustainability.
"Our Kitchen Garden Program supports educators in providing children with knowledge and skills that promote healthy eating and sustainable practices," Wilkinson said. "We welcome the collaboration with Costa Group in extending this initiative to more communities."
For more information:
Costa Group
Tel: +61 03 8363 9000
Email: [email protected]
www.costagroup.com.au
