Costa Group sponsors 10 more regional schools and services

• Ten regional schools and early childhood services are joining the Kitchen Garden Program through a values‑aligned partnership with Costa Group. 

• This second cohort is part of a three‑year partnership that will support 30 schools and services nationwide. 

• All schools and services are located in communities where Costa Group farms operate, strengthening connections between food education, agriculture and local communities. 

Ten more schools and early childhood services will join the Kitchen Garden Program thanks to our values-aligned partnership with Costa Group, Australia’s leading grower of fresh fruit and vegetables.  

These schools and services form the second cohort to receive support through our three‑year partnership with Costa Group, which includes a shared commitment to educating as many children as possible about the many different types of fresh food, including how it is grown, and the ways in which it can be prepared and enjoyed.  

Over the life of the partnership, 30 schools and early childhood services across Australia will be welcomed into the Kitchen Garden Program. 

Based in areas where Costa Group operates farms, these new Kitchen Garden Program members will experience meaningful connections between education, agriculture, Costa staff and local communities. Our newest Kitchen Garden Program members span regional areas of Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria: 

• Corindi Public School (NSW) 

• Woolgoolga High School (NSW) 

• Childers State School (QLD) 

• Emerald State School (QLD) 

• Emerald State High School (QLD) 

• Isis Community Preschool and Kindergarten (QLD) 

• Mildura West Kindergarten (VIC) 

• Orelia Primary School (WA) 

• Wellard Village Primary School (WA) 

• Yanchep Rise Primary School (WA) 

Unity College (SA) received a sponsored Kitchen Garden Program membership and infrastructure grant from Costa Group last year.
 

Each school and service is bringing its own vision to the Kitchen Garden Program, with a shared focus on hands‑on learning, growing and eating fresh, healthy produce, sustainability, and building strong connections within their communities. 
 
“Our vision for the Kitchen Garden Program is to create a vibrant, hands-on learning environment where students connect with nature and develop lifelong skills in sustainability, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship. We aim to build a sense of community by involving families, staff, and local partners, encouraging shared responsibility and pride.” - Corindi Public School (NSW)  

Supporting hands‑on learning 

Each sponsored school or service will receive a two‑year Kitchen Garden Program membership, providing educators with the knowledge, tools and inspiration to deliver hands‑on food education.

They will also benefit from an infrastructure grant to support their kitchen garden activities. This funding may be used for anything from repairing or building garden beds to purchasing cooking equipment and establishing composting systems — ensuring each setting has what they need to bring their program to life. 

We look forward to supporting our new Kitchen Garden Program members every step of the way on their kitchen garden journey! 

Meet two of the first schools supported by Costa Group: 

• Fresh veg and full hearts at Nairne Primary School 

• How a school garden is inspiring families 

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and Costa Group have partnered in a values-aligned multi-year agreement that ensures more children and young people from around Australia experience pleasurable food education.