School

A session with Pumpkin Vine is much more than a cooking class.

Gone are the days when we would spend hours each day watching and helping mum cook the evening meal or bake cakes. Our social structure is changing. Life is fast now. Mums often juggle work and home life. Families are less connected and with new age technologies there is not much time left for cooking and giving our children real food experiences many of us had as children.

At Pumpkin Vine we endeavour to bring out that special enthusiasm to want to cook to every participant.

Our programme is about using fresh seasonal produce. We try to include harvesting and plant identification as this is an integral part of the garden to table process. The cooking and tasting is the reward and connection to our senses.

As an extra educational benefit, our classes start with talking about the importance of food hygiene and personal hygiene when cooking. What to do and what not to do to avoid food contamination.

We also discuss with the children the basic requirements for our food to grow. Sun and rain is explored in our overall general talk about produce. Depending on the age of the participants, foods are discussed as to their origin, history, what we can make with the food we have on hand. Children will follow the explained procedures after demonstrations.

By growing edible foods, (if you have a garden), harvesting, cooking and sharing a meal, children can learn from many curriculum related areas.

Throughout the classes, we touch on science, geography, life cycle of plant food, seasons, environment, environmental issues and sustainability. We learn new words for previously unfamiliar vegetables or fruit, read written recipes and use our speaking skills with precision. Maths is never far away with measuring and counting. Within the humanities spectre there is the interaction with others, tolerance of multicultural foods, and food acceptance.

Cooking can also be an expression on someone's creativity within art, design and exploration. Nurturing of edible garden food is a very important life skill as is self sufficiency. Children and adults will share, listen, wait for their turn and potentially use leadership skills.

Through participation, children are totally engaged and enjoy their class. They take with them that special feeling of "fun experience". Without a doubt this will be etched in their mind and their life long memories. Imagine if they wanted to cook something with whatever is available wherever they are in the future. They could adapt because they were at ease with cooking. (The fun and simplicity is the secret).

On a general health level, the revelation from the class is that healthy food produces great food sensation, a healthy body and a healthy mind. The physical energy used in harvesting, cooking, eating and washing is a further health benefit by keeping children physically active.

It is our experience that the harvesting/cooking experience leads to children eating more varieties of fruit and vegetables. There is also the creation of the desire for children to grow and cook their own produce at home and to discuss these wants with parents/carers or grandparents and thereby establishing a new bond within families. This could, in a small way lead to more families cooking and sharing a meal together. Maybe, a passion could even develop for a future career.