Growing Australian Bush Food from Patch to Plate

Woolworths Junior Landcare grant recipient, Heathfield Primary School in South Australia, embarked on an exciting project to build a bush tucker garden, inviting all students to participate in growing native edible plants. Adding an artistic touch, a mural was painted on the planter tubs, connecting bush food with art. Students planted a variety of bush tucker plants, including Warragal greens, as part of the kitchen garden program. Collaborating with Heathfield High, students enjoyed not only painting the mural on the tubs but also tasted delicious creations cooked with the bush tucker plants. The objective of the project was to provide an inclusive gardening experience, involving children in designing, growing, caring for, and harvesting the produce. The expected outcomes included hands-on learning of the plant life cycle, awareness of First Nations culture through the cultivation of a bush tucker garden, and an appreciation for indigenous edible plants.