The Margaret River Primary School Kitchen Garden was treated to a mega-sized donation last week from local business supporter Bunnings Margaret River.
Not only did the garden receive much needed equipment like secateurs, gloves, plastic storage containers, wire and rakes, but also the use of their Activities Organiser Amber Sullivan, who came to the school and donated her time and woman-power helping to paint a clear sealer coat to the Rebecca Cool art mural that attracts so many people to the garden space.
Garden specialist Terri Sharpe said the fact that Ms Sullivan was able to donate her time made the assistance even more special.
“It means so much, to both the 240 kids that utilise the Kitchen Garden program, and to the wider community,” Ms Sharpe said.
The kids work hard to help this garden look its best and give us so much produce - all of which ends up harvested, prepared and eaten by the students.
- Terri Sharpe
“People often comment on the beautiful mural and productive garden when they walk past the school.
“The kids work really hard to help this garden look its best and give us so much produce - all of which ends up harvested, prepared and eaten by the students in the program.”
Ms Sharpe said the program aimed to educate children about food in a different environment to their classroom lessons, to help form positive life-long food habits.
“The program can really make a positive difference to children’s attitudes and behaviour choices when it comes to the food they choose to eat,” she said.
“The benefits of that are obvious given today’s issues with obesity, reduced exercise and poor food choices that we, as a society, are experiencing.
“Donations from local businesses like Bunnings make this entire program possible, and we feel very fortunate to receive their support.”
The Kitchen Garden is currently seeking empty, three-litre plastic milk bottles as part of a recycling worm wee project; small glass jars around 15cm high (with or without lids) as part of a sweet potato sprouting project; and old school china tea cups (no saucers needed) as part of a seeds and sprouts project. Items can be dropped into the MRPS Front Office on Forrest Road at any time.