Food Education Drive
Our Food Education Drive (FED) is a national fundraiser to generate awareness about the critical need to educate all Australian children about where their food comes from and equip them with the skills to live healthy, resilient and happy lives.
This fundraising initiative is run by the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, an Australian not-for-profit founded in 2004 by legendary cook Stephanie Alexander AO. Twenty years on, we are still fighting for the health and wellbeing of young Australians by delivering fun, hands-on and inclusive food education across the country.
We need your support to expand our impact and help even more Australian children and communities in need. Every dollar counts.
The Kitchen Garden Program is for everyone
Our globally recognised and evidence-backed Kitchen Garden Program is in over 1000 primary schools, secondary schools and early childhood services. This food education program equips children with the skills to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, affordable and culturally diverse food.
Over half our work supports children in remote or regional locations across Australia and the majority of our schools are in communities experiencing socio-educational barriers. This year, more than 1400 schools and services submitted grant applications to join the Kitchen Garden Program. That’s roughly 274,000 students who are standing by to receive food education!
We need your support to expand our impact and help even more Australian children and communities in need. Every dollar counts. Please donate today.
Why does food education matter?
When food education is a part of the school experience, it sets every child up on an even playing field. Being able to grow and select fresh produce and turn it into a nutritious, affordable and delicious meal sets a child up for life.
Children and young people are on track to live shorter lives than their parents. One in four children and young people are living with obesity and heightened risk of chronic disease, and almost 95% of Australian children aged 2-18 years are not meeting the daily recommended intake of vegetables due to environmental and structural inequities.
When food education is a part of the school experience, children learn the importance and joy of real food and grow up to make healthy lifestyle choices. Studies show that school curriculums are falling short on delivering effective, consistent food education. That's where we come in.
Our engaging, easy-to-implement Kitchen Garden Program has been dedicated to food education for 20 years. Our method of hands-on learning has had a huge impact on millions of children who show an increased willingness to try new foods, and significant knowledge, confidence and skills in cooking and gardening. Learning to cook from a young age builds future adults with increased food confidence, healthier diets, cooking practices and attitudes, and overall a better quality of life.
The difference you can make
Your donation to our Food Education Drive means we can continue to reach the next generation.
Like successful cooks and gardeners, we use every donation wisely and creatively. Funding is allocated in intentional and purposeful ways, so our small team can service our growing national member base, adapt to changing circumstances and pursue new opportunities to impact even more young people.
The impact of your donation is immediate and will be felt for years to come. You’re giving children and young people the tools to build confidence, find happiness, get in touch with nature, and take care of themselves and others through the world of food and flavour.
Now is the time to empower young Australians with this unique chance to secure their health and wellbeing for their future.
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