February 10 dawned rather soggy and wet, but the official opening of the Crown Street Public School edible schoolyard forged ahead anyway - in the very crowded school hall, rather than the garden.

Clover Moore, the Mayor of the City of Sydney, officially opened the garden, following a welcome by the school captains and an entirely undampened rendition of the school song.

Ms Moore also presented a further cheque for $5000 to the school, another grant to extend the facilities and storage area of the edible garden.

The school captains presented a basket of freshly-picked produce to Ms Moore.  The Principal, John Croker, thanked the parents and Slow Food Sydney for all the hard work that had gone into the garden.

Mr Croker was interviewed on 2BL’s ‘Mornings’ programme by Deborah Cameron about the garden, and promised to provide a jar of marmalade from the citrus tree planted next to one of the vegetable patches.

After the opening, the attendees were treated to a tour of the playground and the garden beds. Highlights were the pumpkin patch, corn and sunflower beds, melon beds and the very abundant vegetable garden.  The children helped serve a morning tea, with food prepared by parents and members of Slow Food Sydney.  We’ve included the recipe for Celebration Zucchini Slice here.  With almost 200 school children, their teachers, several parents, and the special guests from the City of Sydney, the zucchini slice and fresh herb muffins didn’t last long, but were appreciated by all.

The following Monday we received this update from Sarah, one of the Crown Street parents:

“I have just been up to the school to check on the garden. We have lost a couple of sunflowers due to the wind and rain.

“I managed a huge harvest of basil, silverbeet and picked three eggplants.  I was on my way home to make up a big batch of pesto to give to the garden helpers when I dropped into Hudsons. When they saw the healthy crop they were keen to sell it for us!”

We’re very excited to be part of this small food community!

Syd Pemberton, Slow Food Sydney’s Edible Schoolyards leader, has applied for a second starter grant, so we’re now looking for another local school to bring on board.  For this next edible schoolyard, we’d like to match a chef with the school to encourage the children to trade gardening tools for kitchen utensils.

We’ll announce in the next newsletter which school has been selected.  In the meantime, if you are a chef, or have experience in gardening, horticulture or permaculture and would like to get involved, please email us!