School gets fresh message

FOUNTAIN Gate Primary School students know all about the goodness of freshness.
Theyset off on an excursion to the Casey Farmers’ Market last week and sampled some of the fine produce grown in and around the city.
The trip was organised as part of the new Farm to Plate School program that involves students visiting the market and getting the facts on fresh food.
City of Casey director of community services Jennie Lee said the program was part of a wider initiative – the Sprouting New Ideas project – which Casey and Cardinia Shire were working on.
“Children are fascinated about the journey of food, from a small seed to a meal on a plate, and by involving them in gardening and cooking they tend to be more adventurous in eating fresh produce,” Ms Lee said.
The Farm to Plate program involved creating better partnerships between farmers, food producers and local schools and would give students the chance to learn about food production.
The Narre Warren school was one of the first to take part in the program with hopes several other Casey schools will eventually take the tour.
Ms Lee said with the growing problem of childhood obesity and related problems it was essential to increase the awareness of food production and the need for families to understand healthy diets.