South Australian school wins World Environment Day Award for its Kitchen Garden Program

Kilkenny Primary School’s Kitchen Garden Program recently celebrated receiving the United Nations World Environment Day Award, presented on June 12, 2025. The award recognises the school’s outstanding commitment to fostering practical skills in cooking, gardening, and sustainability. The school has been a part of the Kitchen Garden Program Since 2009, with its students experiencing the full cycle of growing, harvesting, cooking and sharing food.

Lidia Moretti, president of the United Nations Association of South Australia, spoke at the award ceremony highlighting the positive effects of the garden program that she has seen at many schools, especially at Kilkenny. 

Stephanie Alexander, who founded the program, accepted the award and spoke about her original vision to ensure every child had the opportunity to cook from scratch and learn essential life skills. She emphasised how important these skills are today for the health and wellbeing of children, even more so than back in 2004 when the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation was established.

Kilkenny’s principal, Alex Narcys, shared his passion for the program, explaining how it has positively impacted the school community. Serving over 200 students from diverse cultural backgrounds, the school provides intensive English language support for newly arrived children. The garden and kitchen spaces have become places where students from all walks of life can connect, learn, and grow together.

Kilkenny Primary School was also a finalist in the 2024 Stephanie Alexander National Kitchen Garden Awards, which will be running again this year. The category the school entered was the ‘Wellbeing Champions’ award that recognises the program’s specialised approach for students with autism spectrum disorder or ADHD. This unique initiative helps students re-regulate and connect with nature when overwhelmed, promoting wellbeing and focus through garden activities.

The celebration culminated in the planting of Eureka Lemon and Tahitian Lime trees, a symbolic gesture marking the school’s achievement. Congratulations to Kilkenny Primary School for empowering students to experience the full cycle of gardening, cooking, and sharing – a true example of sustainable learning in action.

The 2025 National Kitchen Garden Awards will be launched on July 17. To learn more about the winners from last year visit the Foundation’s website.