IT SEEMS fitting that a crazy idea should be funded by a crazy hair day.
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When Lou Ridsdale first came up with Food is Free she never thought it would blossom into an ever-expanding educational project bringing people from all backgrounds and generations together.
Now, with the seeds for Food is Free firmly planted in the ground, Ms Ridsdale is one step closer to realising her dream of creating a community food hub thanks to pupils from Canadian Lead Primary School.
On Tuesday a group of gardening-mad pupils presented Food is Free with a generous donation that will help the group pay for public liability needed to realise the Western Oval expansion project. The pupils raised the money by organising a crazy hair day.
Principal Darlene Cameron said pupils at the school regularly tended to their own vegetable patch and understood the importance of growing fresh food.
“We heard that Food is Free needed some money for liability insurance and we thought we could help,” Ms Cameron said.
“We’ve just established a garden at the school, so the children respect and acknowledge what is involved in looking after a garden.
“We thought we could reach out and help.”
Ms Ridsdale is currently putting the final touches together before she launches the Western Oval section of Food is Free. She said any donation would help the garden to continue to grow.
“(Any donation) helps us keep going to the next level. We hope to have boxes of food and to be able to educate and extend (the program further) to the community,” Ms Ridsdale said.
“We hope to include community groups and teach how people can share with their neighbours.”
Green Patch captain, grade 5 pupil Talia enjoys teaching others the importance of gardening every Thursday lunchtime.
At the moment she is forced to turn pupils back as they eagerly await the chance to the grow their own herbs.
During summer children can pick off a berry and enjoy munching on a fresh, healthy snack straight from the garden.
When asked what she enjoyed most about gardening at school, Talia’s answer was simple. “Everything”, she said.
“I love to help garden, water the plants and we even get to feed the chickens,” Talia said.