Renowned Australian chefs Curtis Stone and Stephanie Alexander AO have delighted Tasmanian children with a cooking class they will never forget as Coles launches its latest fundraising appeal in support of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program teaches children about fresh produce and fosters healthy eating habits for life by giving students the hands-on opportunity to grow fresh produce and prepare delicious and nutritious dishes to share.
From today, until Tuesday 20 September customers can purchase $2 donation cards at Coles supermarkets across Tasmania to support the food education program. Funds raised will go towards purchasing gardening tools and infrastructure for local schools.
Coles ambassador and Michelin star chef Curtis Stone together with founder of the Kitchen Garden Program Stephanie Alexander visited Princes Street Primary School in Tasmania to kick off the fundraiser.
Stephanie Alexander said she was delighted that Coles and its customers continue to support the important food education program both in Tasmania and on a national scale.
"I am grateful for the support of Coles and the Tasmanian community for directly supporting kitchen garden programs across the state," Stephanie said.
"The Foundation's philosophy is to ensure all children have the opportunity to experience the wonders of fresh seasonal produce and the joy of sharing food with their friends and family."
One of the Tassie schools to receive support as a result of last year's fundraising campaign was East Derwent Primary School. With the funds, the school has been able to increase their compost bays and purchase new gardening equipment.
In addition to the fundraising, Coles Bridgewater team members regularly donate leftover produce from their store to help the school's compost and worm farms thrive.
On the north coast of Tasmania, Ulverstone Primary School used funding received from last year's campaign to purchase new garden beds, a picnic table and benches for outdoor cooking and eating creating a much loved outdoor learning area.
Team members from Coles Ulverstone swapped supermarket shelves for wheelbarrows for a day, joining parents, teachers, and students to set up the new outdoor learning area.
Coles Ambassador Curtis Stone said the success of the program at Princes Street Primary School demonstrated the difference that early learning about healthy eating could make to children's lives.
"It was incredible to see the Kitchen Garden Program in action and the impact it has on the kids as the program engages them with food from soil to stomach in a meaningful, long-lasting and sustainable way," Curtis said.
"Coles has always strived to be Australia's most sustainable supermarket, and the Kitchen Garden Program is a wonderful way to teach the next generation about these important lessons, which they can then take home to their families."
"Just by purchasing a $2 card at the checkout, customers can make a big difference to the education of many kids in Tasmania."
The $2 donation cards will be available in Coles supermarkets across the state from Wednesday 31 August, until Tuesday 20 September.
Background Information:
Since 2020, Coles has partnered with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, working together to educate and foster positive food habits for young Australians through support for the Kitchen Garden program in schools.
Currently 55 schools and early childhood centres in Tasmania run a Kitchen Garden program. All Coles stores in Tasmanian are partnered with their local Kitchen Garden school (17 stores in total).
