United Nations awards Kitchen Garden Program school

The United Nations Association of South Australia has recognised Kilkenny Primary School’s Kitchen Garden Program with a prestigious World Environment Day Award. 

Stephanie Alexander AO presented the award on 12 June 2025 to the school, which has been part of the Kitchen Garden Program since 2009. She spoke about her original vision for every child to have the experience of cooking from scratch, and how these skills are even more important now than ever before for the wellbeing and health of children.  

Kilkenny Primary School’s principal, Alex Narcys, spoke passionately about the impact of the Kitchen Garden Program on his vibrant school community. With more than 200 students from diverse cultural backgrounds, the school provides intensive English language support for newly arrived children, and use the garden and kitchen as welcoming spaces where all students can learn, connect, and grow. 

The president of the United Nations Association of South Australia, Lidia Moretti, outlined the positive effects of the Kitchen Garden Program and how she had seen the ripple effects at many schools, especially Kilkenny Primary.  

Earlier that morning, Stephanie met Kitchen Educators Jess Liebich and Josie Blain, and stopped by the kitchen class to teach students essential knife skills. The children created an impressive lunch menu of rosemary focaccia, pumpkin and purple sweet potato soup, garden salad, and vegetable herb quiche (prepared with eggs from their chooks and pastry made from scratch).

Guests were also treated to afternoon tea prepared by the children: quince paste, dried figs and peaches, and stunning lemon curd tarts topped with pumpkin seeds and dried lime. 

She also visited the garden class where Garden Educator Emma Robertson was guiding children through potting seeds saved from last season. Stephanie toured the winter garden and greenhouse, tasted the school-grown greens and rocket, and finished the session with a composting demo. 

Last year, Kilkenny Primary School was a finalist in the National Kitchen Garden Awards. In their entry for the “Wellbeing Champions” award, their Garden Educator, Emma, explained:  

“We have a specialised Kitchen Garden Program for students with autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. When they are overwhelmed, these students can opt to spend 15 minutes in the garden with our garden specialist, either in a group or one-on-one, to connect with nature and re-regulate before returning to class.” 

 “This simple yet effective approach helps redirect their energy and refocus their attention, whether through moving mulch with wheelbarrows or watering plants.” 

Stephanie helped plant Eureka Lemon and Tahitian Lime trees along with the Mayor of the City of Charles Sturt to mark this significant award. Congratulations to everyone involved with empowering Kilkenny students to experience the cycle of growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing.