In 2006, Slow Food Sydney launched the Edible Schoolyard Programme.   Slow Food Sydney committee member, Justin Topfler together with Meg Tompson, who supplied Crown Street School Canteen with organic produce, secured a matching grant from Sydney County Council for $5,000, the building of the Crown Street Public School’s garden got underway. Committee member Syd Pemberton with the help of a dedicated group of parents successfully pulled together and created an edible school garden out of a a small concrete  inner city school yard. 

The garden was completed and opened by Clover Moore, Mayor of Sydney in 2008.    It has  provided a natural launch-pad for extra curricular learning opportunities including practical gardening skills like worm farming, composting, crop rotation, weeding etc. as well as regular cooking sessions using produce from the gardens.

The garden is run under sustainable practices which means the children also learn what naturally grows in what conditions, in which season and how long it takes.  Basic concepts lost when we live in an era where foods are available all year round.  The children can now identify a whole variety of plants and know when produce is ready to harvest.

Sarah McMaster, the parent coordinator for Crown Street runs a roster so each class gets the opportunity to manage the garden.  Sarah is always looking for volunteers at their regular Wednesday working bees.  If you are interested, please contact Sarah on semacmaster@optusnet.com.au to register.

The success of Crown Street spurred the next Co-Convivium leader, Alison Drover onto another garden at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Waterloo.  Like Crown Street, it has historic significance for the inner city Sydney area, not to mention the perfect sunny spot for a garden.  The Sydney County Council again provided a matching grant.

Steve Bately from Sydney Organic Gardens has been contracted to manage the design and installation of the garden.  Steve is a great believer in giving the children ownership and his designs are based on their feedback and ideas.  This week they are making their first seasonal plant selection which, all going to plan, will be in the ground following the working bee after the Easter break.

Current Convivium leader, Syd Pemberton now runs the Edible Schoolyard programme with Jossette Gardiner.  ”Connecting children to the joy of picking a vegetable or flower; something they have planted and watched grow, helps connect them with the natural season and their food.  Watching them experience the taste of fresh grown food is a thrill.”

Syd would like to see Slow Foods Sydney being instrumental in implementing more Edible Schoolyards in the Sydney area, particularly in less advantaged schools.  ”We are always looking for an opportunity in the shape of a sunny plot!” laughs Syd.

This of course takes committment and time as well as funding. If you know of a school with a strong sense of community and an interest in introducing their students to the wonder of growing their own food, please let us know through info@slowfoodsydney.com.au