Our partnership with Food Ladder
Food Ladder is a bold, forward-thinking charity aiming to transform the way Australia eats. Through an innovative, eco-friendly approach, it helps improve health and education outcomes in schools across disadvantaged communities.
Partnering with schools, Food Ladder installs cutting-edge greenhouses that take students beyond the traditional classroom and into hands-on food growing experiences.
With continued support—including tailored curriculum resources and professional development for teachers—students also gain vital knowledge in sustainable food production and health literacy.
Driven by a deep commitment to inspiring lasting change, Food Ladder is paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future for all Australians.
It might come as a shock to learn that 96% of Australian children aged 2 – 17 years do not eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables. A poor diet means children are less able to focus in class, making it harder for them to achieve positive educational outcomes.
Long-term poor dietary habits lead to a burden of chronic disease and impact participation in the workforce. These are the trends that are crippling low-socio economic communities in Australia.
Food Ladder is meeting these challenges head on by building climate-controlled greenhouses in schools across Australia. Each greenhouse becomes the cornerstone of learning. Kids get hands-on experience of growing healthy, nutritious food. They’re falling in love with fruit and veggies – many for the first time.
Our funding will see Food Ladder expand their national footprint in the Southeast Queensland region, reaching more than 3,150 students over three years.
An in-region educator will engage nine low-socio economic schools to receive a Food Ladder greenhouse supported by tailored teaching resources, professional development and access to a peer network.
The program also includes Food Ladder’s Seeding Success employment pathways initiative, which connects students’ school-based experiences with further study and careers in agriculture and horticulture.
"Food Ladder has become a valued part of our school and has created new and desperately needed pathways to employment for our students in industries that they want to work in."
Nathanael Edwards, Principal at Radiant Life College in Innisfail, North Queensland.
Food Ladder is also developing a Seeding Success employment pathways program to connect students’ experiences – and the hard work of teachers – to further education and meaningful career opportunities in the horticultural and agricultural sectors. An educated, skilled, and inspired workforce is also essential to increase productivity and meet future food demands especially in the face of climate crisis.
Who is Food Ladder?
