Canberra kids are learning how to cook healthy meals at school thanks to a new program offered by OzHarvest that ends with them producing their own school recipe book.
The FEAST - Food Education and Sustainability Training - program has already been rolled out to nine ACT schools and more are being encouraged to join before the end of the year. (They don't need to start the program yet, just sign up.)
The rollout of FEAST in the ACT is supported by a private philanthropic foundation and the John James Foundation.
Schools buy the groceries and FEAST provides access to an online teacher and student portal including toolkits, recipes and other resources as well as a kitchen kit and electric fry pans.
OzHarvest ACT manager Belinda Barnier said the program was designed to be fun and engaging while teaching kids how to cook and not waste food.
"Teachers like the real-world problem solving and kids absolutely love the hands-on cooking and creativity involved," she said.
St Joseph's Primary School in O'Connor is among the schools to sign up. Teacher Ryan McGee said the students loved it and came up with lots of ideas to reduce waste, starting with making pancakes from brown bananas.
"The healthiest meals were my most requested recipe printouts," she said.
"How rewarding to see students ask for extra capsicum or herbs."
The program finishes with a school cook book being produced. Some schools even have launches for the cook book.
"I have taught for 15 years and this was the biggest parent response I have ever witnessed," Mrs McGee said.
"The parents were thrilled with their children's ability to identify healthy habits, eliminate food waste in the home, and demonstrate new cooking skills. I have never received such positive feedback."
ACT schools should register now to ensure the FEAST program can be delivered at a time to suit their teaching program.
Visit ozharvest.org/feast
