Support to help kids grow and eat fresh food at more WA schools

• Food Ladder's School Systems expanding to more schools
• Food program supports children to grow and eat fresh food
• Cook Government funding, via Healthway, supports expansion

Food Ladder, recently voted Australia's most innovative not-for-profit, has received State Government funding to expand its transformative school food program that encourages students to grow and eat fresh food.

Healthway will provide $135,000 in funding to support Food Ladder's School Systems program, which teaches students about planting, growing, and harvesting their own fruit and vegetables through climate-controlled, hydroponic greenhouses.

The funding will go towards a project officer to lead the school program in WA and the development of online resources about food security, its challenges and building resilience through Food Ladder's sustainable food production systems. 

Over the next two years Food Ladder's School Systems is set to expand to Kirwirrkurra Remote Community School in the Gibson Desert, one of the most remote communities in Australia, and Somerly Primary School in Clarkson.

Currently, Food Ladder's School Systems successfully operates in Leonora District High School and Broome Senior High School.

Comments attributed to Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

"Food Ladder's School Systems is seeing a lot of success in WA and across Australia, with students gaining practical insights into managing their own crops and using the produce for cooking classes or general consumption.

"By empowering young people with the knowledge and skills, we're fostering a generation committed to healthy, sustainable, resilient food systems for the future."

Comments attributed to Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:

"Food Ladder's School Systems is designed to be sustainable long-term with ownership of the hydroponic systems and infrastructure passing to schools following implementation and training.

"This valuable addition to the school curriculum is positively influencing a student's learning experience and enhancing a strong sense of community to help them thrive."