Under the umbrella of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden scheme, school-based kitchen gardens are being developed where children are encouraged to explore and learn, focus on the senses, and generally adopt a more realistic approach to food.

The program was devised by a Victorian-based chef, Stephanie Alexander.

She started it in a metropolitan school in Melbourne nine years ago and has watched it spread across the country.

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation chief executive officer, Ange Barry, Melbourne, said the organisation had been delighted by the strong support for the program.

“Schools are taking up the program quickly here, but we didn’t know how it would be embraced interstate,” she said.

“It’s hands-on and fun – it’s about rolling-up your sleeves and getting involved and it brings the community into the school.”

Ms Barry said the program allowed business and community groups to assist in student education while exposing children to the origins of fresh foods.

“Cooking skills isn’t necessarily something they’ve been exposed to at a young age,” she said.

Ms Barry said 60 per cent of the schools now involved were in rural and regional areas.

The cost to become involved varied, depending on what facilities existed and staffing levels required.

Federal grants had provided much of the assistance, but schools were encouraged to also seek community financial support.

She said the average cost of establishing a garden and kitchen was about $60,000 but she had seen such a set-up established for as little as $12,000.

Ms Barry said regardless of where a garden was, students and teachers were providing similar feedback – and all of it positive.

“The principals particularly talk about learning standards and children queuing to get into the classes,” she said.

“It’s just amazing; children go shopping with mum and write the lists.”

Children were also introducing vegetable gardens into their own homes and trying new foods.

The roll-out of the program was continuing and it was hoped about 250 schools would be participating by June, 2012, Ms Barry said.

“We’ve even got a national curriculum coming.”