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The amazing things happening in school kitchen gardens across the Byron Shire will be showcased in the inaugural Mullumbimby Farmers Market Grow Your Own Lunchbox Challenge on Friday November 13.

The event will give schools the opportunity to come together, share their kitchen garden story with each other and the wider community, and enjoy a little inter-school rivalry.

Lunchbox Challenge!

Participating schools will compete in four categories:

  1. Box of Vegetables from the School Garden
  2. Preserved, Pickled or Dried Products
  3. Garden Fundraising Ideas
  4. Lunchbox Challenge

which will see groups of students given ten minutes to create a healthy lunchbox on the spot, using food sourced primarily from their garden.

Judges will include the North Byron Farmers Market Association President and local organic farmer, Rod Bruin, organic farming educator and pioneer of the organic food movement on the Northern Rivers, David Forrest, well-known local foodie and author, Victoria Cosford, and local naturopath, Ruth Hanrahan.

Local musical raconteur, Bay FM presenter, kitchen gardener and wild forager, Fingal, will MC the event.

The Challenge will also include a special presentation on native foods by local bush food grower and businesswoman, Rebecca Barnes.

North Byron Farmers Market Manager Allie Godfrey said the Lunchbox Challenge was a fun way to celebrate the great work happening in local school kitchen gardens.

“Gardens are a great place to teach children practical growing skills, but also provide a whole host of other learning opportunities, from composting to water conservation and waste reduction.”

“Being involved in growing their own food also teaches children about healthy eating and encourages them to try new foods,” she said.

The Mullum Market is a proud sponsor of school and community garden projects across the shire and has made more than $20,000 worth of donations and in-kind contributions to their growth and development during the past three years. The Lunchbox Challenge is part of the market’s ongoing commitment to educating kids about farming and the value of fresh, healthy, local food.

• The Challenge will be held at the market this Friday November 13 from 8.30am-10.30am.

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