Kitchen garden inspires better health
Eating well on the aged pension isn’t easy. Too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander seniors also suffer diabetes. A project in Woodridge south of Brisbane has tried to address both concerns. It supported a community of seniors to grow their own fresh produce and learn from each other about healthy eating and cooking.
Project applicant, Christine Fewquandie, is with Burringilly Home and Community Care Services which runs respite care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She invited volunteers Maureen and Phil Randell to show staff and clients at Burringilly how to prepare garden beds, plant seedlings and maintain a kitchen garden. Phil built a shelter over the garden.
“Maureen made a book about everything we talked about and health issues such as wearing gloves,” said Christine. The book also includes recipes inspired by a discussion among participants about their younger years living off the land: “They shared stories … how they would eat the tomatoes straight off the bush. They all had their little secrets on the best way to grow tomatoes, what fertiliser, and when to chuck Epsom’s salt on the plant.
We compared food such as bush tucker, kangaroo or fish, to what our families are eating now such as takeaway McDonalds for a quick meal.”
The garden now supplies Burringilly’s kitchen with fresh produce. It also provides cheaper vegies for day respite clients to take home. Burringilly has since built a second larger garden and is running cooking classes to teach participants how to prepare smaller and healthier meal portions and save money.
The 4-week project inspired behavioural change which it’s hoped will be sustainable. “Family members of Burringilly’s clients are starting their own garden beds as well,” added Christine.
“This was our first project with ICV and I can’t understand why we haven’t used them in the past. Your staff and volunteers are fantastic.”
The community initiated a further two projects in the wake of the garden project.
ICV was invited to work with many communities across Australia in 2010-11 to help teach and establish vegetable and native gardens.
