A program to teach kids in Melton about the links between climate change and food has received $50,000 from VicHealth.
The Melton Food Systems Collective is a recently established initiative by council to inform young people of how their eating habits can combat emerging health challenges.
The collective is made up of local neighbourhood houses, community health services, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, faith groups, and food relief agencies.
They will work with at least four schools in the area to teach young people about the benefits of producing and consuming their own food.
VicHealth’s executive manager of Policy, Strategy & Impact Group Kris Cooney said the initiative would help students learn about the interconnected nature of public health and climate change.
“We know kids are naturally interested in food, so this is an exciting opportunity to take that interest further and support them to explore what’s happening in their local food system and empower them to take action to protect it,” she said.
The program aims to encourage the next generation to increase their climate resilience by developing sustainable habits like composting, gardening, and cooking.
Climate resilience is the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related to the environment.
Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said activities run by the collective would increase awareness within classrooms and allow students to set strategies to tackle the issue.
“This program will help young people to implement practical initiatives to enhance local food security that will also have a positive impact on the environment,” she said.
“It is important to teach the younger members of our community about nutritious and sustainable food and the physical and mental health benefits that come with it.“
Melton MP Steve McGhie said the educational program was an important investment that would create a better future for the area.
“Having healthier kids leads to a healthier community,” he said.
The money adds to the state government’s contribution of $181,500 to the program through the Suburban Revitalisation Program.
Melton was one of 13 councils to receive the VicHealth Leading Healthy Communities grant, which allocated $600,000 to help communities across Victoria to improve their wellbeing through a variety of projects.
