Growing Healthy Communities

The Growing Healthy Communities (GHC) project aims to increase the knowledge and practical experience of growing food among young people and includes the setting up of (and development of existing) edible gardens at all three Waiheke schools, as well as provision for a gardening support person to help establish gardens for selected individuals at their homes.

The project will culminate in a harvest celebration on March 30, 2008, where children will have the opportunity to display their produce as well as win prizes for 'best garden', 'best produce', 'best sand saucer' and 'best vegetable animal'. There will also be cooking displays and food preservation workshops.

The Government's Healthy Eating Healthy Action (HEHA) initiative aims to improve the nutrition and activity level of our communities and funding has been given to GHC through the Auckland District Health Board, as a project that encourages healthy eating and increases activity levels as well as being both innovative and sustainable.

The project seeks to involve the wider community and draws from a broad range of individuals with a range of horticultural experience.

For further information please contact Growing Healthy Communities:

Zack McCracken – Waiheke Health Trust: 372 8893

Adrian Marsden – Piritahi Hau Ora: 372 8824

Denise Roche – Waste Resource Trust: 372 2915