“Food, food glorious food” was the subject on the minds of a group of Geraldton students recently – who were learning all about where the food in their lunchbox comes from through a variety of hands-on exhibitions and presentations.
The Land to Lunchbox food education event is well underway at Geraldton Grammar school. Do you know where your food comes from? @NACC_NRM pic.twitter.com/Dql17Fe9cG
— Kirsty Kipling (@KiplingKirsty) March 2, 2018
The Land to Lunchbox food education event, organised by NACC, featured five display stations – each focused on a different topic and presented by a different group of people:
- Aquaculture and honey production – presented by Central Regional TAFE.
- Broad acre cropping – presented by NACC.
- Livestock – presented by CJ Stokes & Son
- Agricultural production – presented by CJ Stokes & Son
- Agricultural Education and Training – presented by the WA College of Agriculture in Morawa.
The students also had the pleasure of hearing from renowned soil scientist Dr Maarten Stapper, who really captivated the audience with his presentation on Science behind Healthy Food for Eaters.
"Eat the rainbow everyday" – Dr Maarten Stapper, renowned soil scientist on the 'science behind healthy food for eaters' #soilscience pic.twitter.com/PFuSwbsjOO
— NACC (@NACC_NRM) March 2, 2018
NACC Aboriginal Projects Manager Greg Burrows was the driving force behind the broad-acre cropping display and said it was great to see young people enthusiastic about learning where their food came from.
“The highlight of the day was definitely the guest speaker Dr Stapper, as he took a more alternative approach to explaining food production,” said Greg.
NACC works with local schools to increase the knowledge of young people of local food and environment. Excellent broadacre crops presentation by @NACC_NRM staff Greg Burrows. #PeopleofNRM #Landcare pic.twitter.com/L6Jg0FID6v
— Stanley Yokwe (@StanleyYokwe) March 7, 2018
In addition to the display stations, students had the chance to interact with some ‘sheepish’ friends with the help of some busy farmers who took time out of their day to get involved in the event. Jane Royce from Nagle Catholic College said getting-up so close to the sheep was the highlight for her students.
NACC Regional Landcare Facilitator Stanley Yokwe, who organised the event, expressed his thanks to everyone who helped make the day such a success.
“It would have been impossible to provide this opportunity for our young people to learn about local food production without the help of dedicated community volunteers,” said Stanley.
The Land to Lunchbox event was supported by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, Bendigo Bank, Geraldton Grammar School, Nagle Catholic College and Geraldton Senior College.
A special thanks to all of the representatives and organisations who held an exhibition on the day: Central Regional TAFE, Bookara Goat Dairy, WA College of Agriculture in Morawa, and CJ Stokes & Son.
