Meet Early Childhood Project Officer, Natasha Grogan

Earlier this year the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation launched its Kitchen Garden Program for Early Childhood. This program is the first of its kind for pre-school aged children in Australia, and was developed in consultation with the early childhood community. The program promotes a whole-service, play-based approach to delivering pleasurable food education to young children.

With continued funding from the Ian Potter Foundation’s Alec Prentice Sewell Gift we are able to continue our work in this space, including adding a new member to our team to support the Early Childhood community. Please make welcome the new Early Childhood Project Officer, Natasha.

“Hello, my name is Natasha Grogan and I am the new Early Childhood Project Officer for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. Although I am new to the role, I am not new to the program. Between 2008 and 2012, I was a garden specialist for two primary schools in Melbourne. It was a job I loved very much, and which utilised my training as both a Steiner and conventional primary school teacher, and as a qualified horticulturist. After my four and a half years as a garden specialist I started my own small business, The Sage Garden, which specialised in teaching children, predominantly in the early years, to grow their own organic food. It is fair to say it has been my life’s work to promote pleasurable food education. It has been a joy to return to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation after all these years and to see how it has evolved into the program it is today. I am excited to use my experience and passion for teaching in the early years to support and guide members through your kitchen garden program.”

What is your favourite tool in the kitchen or garden shed? 
My favourite tool in the kitchen is a silicone spatula and in the garden it is a great pair of secateurs.

Tell us one of your go-to recipes for the festive season? 
Lots of delicious salads and chocolate zucchini slice as a treat.

What is the last thing you grew in the garden?
I am always in the garden growing food. At the moment I have pumpkin, cucumber, zucchini, tomatoes, beans and jalapenos, all ready to burst.

The Kitchen Garden Program for Early Childhood offers educators professional development, educational resources and support. Members will find our brand new workbooks, especially developed for the Early Childhood sector, on the Shared Table.

For more information visit our Early Childhood membership page, or contact our Support Team on 13000 SAKGF (13000 72543) or support@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au