Ten more schools and early childhood services will join the Kitchen Garden Program thanks to Costa’s values-aligned partnership with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.
These schools and services form the second cohort to receive support through our three‑year partnership, 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)
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.