By BRIDGET COOK
THE River Gum Primary School community now has something else they need to grow to carry on their kitchen garden program – all their appliances after they were robbed recently.
The kitchen at the Hampton Park school, which used to run the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, was broken into overnight on Monday 20 May.
Every electrical item was stolen from the kitchen including blenders, mixers, rice cooker, slow cooker, deep fryer, pie warmer, scales, microwave, stick blenders, food processor and kitchen aid mixer.
Program teacher Christine Talbot said it was a devastating blow for the program, which they managed to get running last year.
“During the past 12 months, we have been fund-raising and had managed to collect quite a few electrical items for the kitchen so that we could hold classes,” she said.
“We have struggled to hold classes as we have a tiny kitchen and need our appliances to manage.
“It is very hard to hold classes without the right equipment.
“Because we have a tiny area, I try to use different appliances rather than just the oven
“We have only 90 minutes to cook a complete meal.”
As part of the kitchen garden program, students get to grow vegetables in a vegetable garden and then use the fresh ingredients to cook healthy meals.
“Part of this program is the vegetable garden where students have the opportunity to grow vegetables and learn about nurturing their growth,” Ms Talbot said.
“Our students are learning about planting, harvesting and cooking, and it is important to pick and cook at the peak time.”
Ms Talbot urged any businesses that could donate electrical appliances or kitchen equipment to the school to do so, so they can continue to run the program.
Anyone with information about the burglary is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
