New Zealand-based fresh produce grower-shipper Turners & Growers has partnered with New Zealand charity the Garden to Table Trust to support primary schools throughout New Zealand with purpose-built gardens, volunteers and equipment.
The Garden to Table Trust operates a curriculum-integrated programme where children aged between seven and 10 are educated about food, horticulture and their natural environment. They are taught how to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, seasonal produce using purpose-built gardens and kitchen facilities.
“Garden to Table is a charitable organisation delivering classroom, garden and kitchen resources for the kids to understand where their food comes from and learn how to prepare it,” said Garden to Table Trust founder and trustee Catherine Bell.
“We rely on the support of the community and businesses such as Turners & Growers to get the programme up and running in selected schools.”
The support from Turners & Growers is part of the company’s T&G Community Programme which provides support and educational opportunities for children with a focus on health and nutrition. The partnership started with Flat Bush Primary School in South Auckland and more recently Kerikeri Primary School in Northland.
As well as financial assistance, local Turners & Growers staff work with the school wherever they can – volunteering, resourcing and providing general support and encouragement.
“Turners & Growers is a big supporter of children in the community and, with our business being about fresh produce, we see the partnership with Garden to Table as being a really good fit,” said Turners & Growers CEO Alastair Hulbert.
“We admire the work that Garden to Table is doing to not only create a passion for fresh produce in our youngsters but also help towards lowering the high childhood obesity rates in New Zealand.”
The aim of the programme is to educate as well as encourage youngsters to make healthy choices and create positive eating habits. The children not only receive a fresh perspective on food education and learn valuable life skills, but also enrich their understanding of other curriculum subjects such as science, mathematics and English.
“Garden to Table currently delivers the programme in 21 schools throughout New Zealand, and with the support of Turners & Growers we expect to be able to increase that number over the next few years,” Bell said.
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