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05/11/2024
Farm to Fork host Michael Weldon, Ungarra Primary School Principal Rory Hunt, student Macario Onwibiko and Rabobank’s Kylie Stoddard
The sharing of food connects families, friends and community, and it’s an ancient ritual that remains central to the vibrancy of Eyre Peninsula’s Ungarra Primary School.
Australia will soon have the chance to experience this small rural school’s big impact first-hand thanks to a partnership between Rabobank and Network 10’s Farm to Fork cooking program, with an an episode dedicated to the rural primary school airing next month.
Farm to Fork regularly features Rabobank clients sharing stories of their produce, how it’s grown and incorporated into recipes, ultimately helping educate Australians on where their food comes from.
From Ungarra to the world
Comprised of just 31 students, one of the school’s proudest triumphs is its Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, developed over 14 years ago to provide local children with practical gardening and cooking skills.
Ungarra Primary School Principal Rory Hunt described the kitchen garden as a “hallmark of the school”, and said that students were thrilled to recently host Farm to Fork chef Michael Weldon and showcase their produce and talent.
“The children were certainly a little star-struck, and it was a real buzz to have the team film here in our school - I applaud Rabobank for this incredible initiative that our local children will remember forever.”
Farm to Fork regularly features Rabobank clients sharing stories of their produce, how it’s grown and incorporated into recipes, ultimately helping educate Australians on where their food comes from.
Students Oliver Clark and Sandy Piip
The upcoming episode, to be aired on Wednesday, December 11th at 12pm will feature Michael preparing recipes based on produce grown by the students.
“Ungarra Primary School’s garden provides students with a variety of life skills, and our children are highly engaged in hands-on learning thanks to weekly gardening and cooking lessons,” Rory explained.
“Students cook a meal from scratch using ingredients harvested from the garden, and their skills in the kitchen are quite remarkable.”
“Sometimes we tend to disregard the capability of young people, yet the way our students use kitchen equipment, their cutting skills – even their taste palate – is a testament to their engagement in the process.”
“I’m excited for the rest of Australia to see what school students are capable of when given the opportunity.”
Rory laughs that having tasted every meal the students’ dish up, it’s hard to choose a favourite, and admits they are far better in the kitchen than he is.
Michael Weldon and Alexis Boehm
“The students take great pride in their cooking, having produced the ingredients they immerse themselves in the process, and it’s a powerful connector and cultural experience also.”
“From Harmony Week when the children prepared a Filipino dish, to an African cook out on a fire pit, to preparing Indigenous inspired kangaroo stew, the cultural learnings food offers these country kids is wonderful.”
Rabobank support from the ground up
The local Rabobank Port Lincoln team has long championed the Ungarra Primary School, directing a range of resources to help their gardens thrive.
In recent years the bank has sponsored a mini farm plot for each student, and provided an agronomy service and individual soil sampling kits to increase the budding future farmers’ technical agricultural know-how.
“The Farm Plot Program involves each student managing their plot, making decision on what to grow, when to plant, seeding, weeding, soil health, pest control and harvest,” Rory explained. “ They then enter into a contract with the school on their planting program, so it’s providing practical decision making, and farming skills.”
Rabobank has also supported the program by hosting a student session with a RaboResearch Analysts, sharing valuable knowledge on factors that impact crop growth and commodity pricing.
Ungarra Primary School students united by food
Having grown up in the city, Rory had little exposure to agriculture, and believes that a program like this fosters an appreciation for food production that all students, country and city, would benefit from.
“These kids are teaching me all about farming, and it’s terrific to see them take ownership of their plots, and manage them well – they can join the dots across the whole food journey.”
A partnership with community at heart
Rory admits that “every cent counts” when it comes to raising funds for their small school, and the fact that Rabobank actively provides opportunities to fundraise is reflective of the bank’s commitment to community.
At the Eyre Peninsula Field Days the Ungarra Primary School is included at the RaboTruck site to sell fresh produce such as jam, dried fruit and even surface spray – all made from local produce.
“The school has been given the opportunity to cater for local Rabobank events, and run the barista service on the RaboTruck – from which we are generously able to keep the profits – we have a terrific partnership with Rabobank, and the fact the bank goes above and beyond to look for opportunities to support us speaks volumes on its dedication to the community.”