Grow your kitchen garden with grants

For some schools and early childhood services, the idea of setting up a Kitchen Garden Program without funding might seem a little intimidating. But you can always start small using what’s already available, drawing on donated resources and keeping your start-up costs low. As the program expands, raising funds is an excellent way to get your bigger vision goals off the ground. Here are some schools and services who have made fundraising work, receiving grants and external donations for a range of exciting projects.

Junction Park State School, QLD

In 2021 and 2022 Junction Park State School received a Brisbane City Council Cultivating Community Gardens Grant.

“We used this grant money as an opportunity to purchase a range of consumables such as potting mix, soil amendments and gardening tools,” says the school’s Kitchen Garden Coordinator, Vicki Runnegar.

They also used the funding to purchase a vertical garden kit to jazz up the appearance of an old, unused fence.

“The kids decorated the pots using posca pen, in a garden theme,” says Vicki. “This year the plan is to purchase a large outdoor table to improve outdoor learning.”

 Junction Park State School’s new vertical garden – featuring a cute froggy visitor.

Nashville State School, QLD

Nashville State School had compost bins to reduce the school’s food waste but wanted to build a system in their garden beds to improve the quality of surrounding soil. They applied for a government grant called Organic Waste Smart Schools, and received $2500 to install several Subpod worm farm capsules.

“Grant money was also used to purchase worms for the Subpods, more collection bins for classrooms and our tuckshop, staffroom and kitchen, and to print information posters for around the school,” explains Kitchen Garden Specialist, Simone Keats.

The pods were put together and installed by students in years 3 and 6. “Our class Eco-Councillors collect and empty compost buns from every class daily into set pods, worm farms, or our one remaining large compost bin,” says Simone. The result is a multi-functional composting system that turns old food waste into rich, organic soil to grow fresh fruit and vegetables.

Nashville State School students inspecting their new worm friends.

 Aldavilla Public School, NSW

Aldavilla Primary School in Kempsey was the proud recipient of the 2021 Sustainable Schools Environment Education School of the Year award. The school has received a range of grants, including one to install two 22,700 litre rainwater tanks, with plumbing.

They have also received a grant to establish a native bee environment. Students have propagated lavender cuttings, made native bee hotels, and continue to plant various native bee attracting shrubs and vegetable seedlings around the school.

“A Stage 3 class is making a water source feature for the bees from an upcycled pool sand filter which will be hand-painted, including water plants and a small solar water fountain,” says Aldavilla Primary School’s Kitchen Specialist, Gaye Duffy.

Aldavilla PS has also received a grant to relocate their recycling station, signing up with Envirobank to install a 660L 10c refund bin.

“Students are making signs and paving the area as well as up-styling a wooden planter box, potting up plants and adding a decorative screen backing,” says Gaye. “We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program this year, as well as our 30th year celebration, so we are chipping away at beautifying our school grounds as well.”

Are you a member of the Kitchen Garden Program looking for funding? Check out our grant and fundraising resource collection to get started, including a list of grants you may be eligible to apply for, templates to help you prepare and manage applications, and a detailed fundraising and volunteer recruitment guide.