PENSHURST Primary School was a buzz on Monday afternoon, as excited students took part in a special health eating workshop.
The Southern Grampians Shire Council Healthy Kids advisor has teamed up with GenR8 Change to reinvigorate the program and get back into the classroom after COVID-19 caused disruptions to the successful community-driven initiative.
The Southern Grampians Shire Council’s newly appointed Healthy Kids advisor, Jason Thomas, was on hand to help students pot up cos lettuce, curly and flat leaf parsley, mint, and coriander, while GenR8 Change’s, Emma Schultz helped students prepare rice paper rolls using some of the same ingredients.
The goal of this workshop was for the kids to experience the entire food cycle, from growing and harvesting to preparing and sharing fresh food.
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation is delivering the healthy kids advisor’s initiative on behalf of the Victorian Government, as part of the Vic Kids Eat Well project.
Passionate about a healthy lifestyle, Mr Thomas said his family has lived off the grid on the edge of Hamilton for the past five years.
His experience of growing food at home made Mr Thomas a perfect fit for the role and has provided him with the opportunity to share his skills and passion for fresh food with young people.
Mr Thomas said the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation’s vision was to help children form positive food habits for life.
“We have an amazing opportunity to inspire young people and teach them that fresh, seasonal, locally produced food is fun, delicious and a great way to connect and share with other people,” he said.
“Good food makes us feel energised.
“We want to inspire young people that fresh, seasonal food is amazing, and support schools, facilities, and sports clubs to help lead the change to make a difference to young people and families.”
The fresh food workshops will be running at 10 state schools in the shire during Term Two and Three, with all schools in the Southern Grampians encouraged to get involved.
