Forbes North Public School held a successful fundraising event on Friday 6th October. Around 85 people attended the Spring Fling Dinner which raised in excess of $3000 which will be used to sustain the school’s Kitchen Program.
The Kitchen Garden Program emerged after grant funding was received through the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, which enabled the school to build the schools kitchen, employ a cook and establish gardens. The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program is designed to help children to form positive food habits for life.
The program provides inspiration, information, professional learning and support for educational institutions to deliver pleasurable food education. Forbes North Public School was the first school to launch the program and staff have witnessed the positive impact that it has had on students and their families. Children have learned how to grow, harvest, prepare and share food, not only improving their food science knowledge but developing essential social skills. The program also explores the origins and history of food and highlights the many cultural influences and flavours available. Many of the successful outcomes of the Kitchen Garden Program can be attributed to the dedication and enthusiasm of the program facilitators, firstly with Julie Bourke and now, qualified chef, Tami Montgomery. Their love of cooking is infectious and the children have enjoyed their experiences. Tami and her team of volunteers are constantly cooking a wide variety of products, including relishes and jams, which are then sold to produce revenue to support the now self-funded program.
Tami was the driving force behind Friday’s event and was responsible for the delicious menu that attendees enjoyed. Mrs Michele Morley, Assistant Principal at Forbes North, commended Tami’s efforts and was grateful for the support shown by local businesses and the Forbes community in general.
Michele would also like to thank the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel for being so obliging and helpful with the event.