Stephanie Alexander on Food and Schools

Stephanie Alexander has worked in the food industry, as both a restaurateur, educator and food writer for more than twenty-five years. Stephanie has a passion for teaching children about food which led her to develop a comprehensive gardening and cooking program at an inner-city Melbourne school – The Kitchen Garden at Collingwood College 6 years ago.

The aim of the Kitchen Garden Program is pleasurable food education for young children. The underlying belief is that by introducing this holistic approach we have a chance to positively influence children's food choices. Due to the success of the program Victorian State Government has given 2.4 million to part-fund an additional 40 new kitchen garden programs in Victorian primary schools. Twenty school commenced work in early 2007 and a second twenty schools will be selected to start work in 2009.

Watch this video to see Sue Kedgley MP talk to Stephanie about her hugely successful kitchen garden program.