By Olivia Condous
Caroline Springs pupils are learning plant to plate skills in a kitchen and garden program at school.
Springside Primary School has run the Spade and Spoon program since 2018, encouraging pupils to work together to create tasty dishes.
The program has Grade 3 and 4 students working in the garden and in the kitchen once per week to learn about sustainable practices.
Spade and Spoon gardening coordinator Jayne Pizzo said the students made their own compost and fertilizer, as well as working with a worm farm, chickens, to learn about the environment.
“The children work through every aspect of the garden, nothing is out-of-bounds, they do all the work,” she said.
Ms Pizzo said spending time in the garden helped the students to practice mindfulness.
“When they’re out in the garden they’re able to slow down a little bit, enjoy the outdoors… and have a bit of fun outside with their friends while achieving something.”
Spade and Spoon kitchen coordinator Kirsty Stephen said the students cooked with all the fresh fruit and vegetables grown in the school’s garden, learning new skills along the way.
“It’s just so good for them, a lot of the kids come in with no kitchen skills at all,” Ms Stephen said.
“A lot of kids, they’ve never eaten most of these foods that we cook, we have a variety of different healthy meals.”
The pupils’ hard work culminates at the monthly market, returning after a pandemic hiatus next term, when the school community is invited to buy fresh produce and delicious food.
“It’s the circle of life… everything has a purpose,” Ms Pizzo said.
“It’s such a great buzz for the kids to see how much other people enjoy their food.”
