Council partnerships with Healthy Loddon Campaspe

Congratulations to Healthy Loddon Campaspe on the release of Flourish, their Regional Food System Framework for City of Greater Bendigo, Campaspe Shire Council, Central Goldfields Shire Council, Loddon Shire Council, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Mount Alexander Shire Council.

We share Healthy Loddon Campaspe's vision for a "vibrant and sustainable regional food system that puts community and Country at its heart to promote health, equity, and resilience for all". 

Our Kitchen Garden Program team has been privileged to work alongside local community partners in these shires on activities such as the establishment of the Central Goldfields Food Network and supporting the 32 Kitchen Garden Program schools in the area, including the recent addition of three new schools as members of the Kitchen Garden Program through the Mount Alexander Shire Council's Healthy Schools Project.

Healthy Schools Project and the Kitchen Garden Program

Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health's Healthy Schools Project, provided Riddells Creek Primary School with new garden and kitchen equipment to expand its Kitchen Garden Program and link it to the school’s canteen menu. Through funding from the Healthy Loddon Campaspe Healthy Schools Project the school accessed seeds, plants, garden tools, and even a rabbit-proof garden fence.

The school bought new kitchen equipment to expand their Kitchen Garden Program, and work towards incorporating their fresh produce into student-driven updates to the school’s canteen menu.

As reported in Star Weekly, Healthy Loddon Campaspe coordinator Alicia O’Brien said she was excited her organisation could provide the funding, "Supporting the school with membership to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, along with garden upgrades, has helped boost the productivity and sustainability of the school’s garden, leading to better quality produce,” she said.

One of the school's Kitchen Garden Educators, Aga Jones explained the broad benefits of the Kitchen Garden Program: “It is such an important part of the curriculum giving students the opportunity to appreciate the joy of growing your own produce, and hopefully, set them up for a lifetime of positive eating habits."

All six councils are involved in the Healthy Loddon Campaspe Project’s initiative – Campaspe Shire, Central Goldfields Shire, City of Greater Bendigo, Loddon Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire and Mount Alexander Shire – can lean on the Foundation for ideas and support to integrated the Kitchen Garden Program into the Healthy Schools Project. 

We remain committed to working together towards local food system improvement. To explore how we can support your local shire priorities, get in touch! membership@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au.