Phil Dudman Presents the Mullumbimby Farmers Market’s Grow Your Own Lunchbox Challenge 2025

The Mullumbimby Farmers Market once again hosted its much-loved Grow Your Own Lunchbox Challenge — and this year’s event was bigger and better than ever. Gardening talkback host, author, and former ABC Gardening Australia editor Phil Dudman returned as compere, praising the standard as “an excellent model that should be rolled out regionally, if not nationally.” He also highlighted the unique opportunity this event gives kids who aren’t sporty, saying, “It’s an amazing way for children with other skills to be recognised.”

Previously, we’ve written about this fabulous initiative, which began in 2015 as part of the market’s commitment to educating the farmers of the future. The challenge is judged across four key areas: growing produce, creating a healthy lunchbox, preserving or value-adding to what is grown, and showcasing creative marketing initiatives. This year we wanted to share what the schools are now achieving — and the incredible creativity that shone through in every entry.

The 2025 winners reflected just how imaginative and resourceful our local students have become. Goonengerry School delighted the judges with their croquettes and further impressed with value-add products such as homemade gummies and calendula cream. Mullumbimby earned recognition for best snack with their choko and zucchini relish, while The Pocket’s macadamia cookies also shone in the snack category. Ocean Shores took out best drink with their refreshing lemon myrtle fizz. Finally, Main Arm School claimed the overall prize with a beautifully presented lunchbox featuring an okonomiyaki pancake, a fresh green salad, strawberry lemonade, and a beetroot brownie.

In the garden awards, Main Arm was celebrated for best overall garden — a particularly special achievement given that their garden was devastated by the floods and has since been lovingly rebuilt by students and staff. Ocean Shores was awarded best native garden, and The Pocket won best new innovation with their aeroponic tower. Goonengerry earned the title of best sustainable garden thanks to their impressive wicking beds and healing gardens, while Mullumbimby was acknowledged for the creativity and scale of its broader initiatives.

From inventive lunchboxes to value-added products and pioneering garden practices, the innovation in local schools is remarkable. Children are growing a diverse range of vegetables, tending worm farms, experimenting with aeroponics, and even producing natural skincare products.

Phil Dudman summed up the spirit of the day: “The quality here is incredible. This event not only teaches kids where food comes from but also gives them confidence, community, and a sense of achievement.” Teachers reported that when students returned to school with their prizes, they were welcomed back like heroes. The Grow Your Own Lunchbox Challenge proves that farmers’ markets grow more than food — they grow creativity, resilience, and the farmers of the future.

And the Winners Are!…

Lunchbox Prizes for 2025

Best Main croquettes Goonengerry

Best Snack Choko Zucchini relish! Mullumbimby

Best Snack Macca cookies The Pocket

Best Drink lemon Myrtle Ocean Shores

Best Overall Lunchbox (Okonomiyaki Pancake. Strawberry lemonade, beetroot brownie) Main Arm

Value ads gummies/cream Goonengerry

Best marketing Mullum

Garden Prizes for 2025

Best Garden Main Arm

Best Native Garden Ocean Shores

Best Innovation In Aeroponics The Pocket

Best Marketing Initiatives Mullumbimby

Best Sustainable Garden -Wiking beds/Healing Goonengerry

2025 Certificates

Best Veggie Garden, and Best Lunchbox Main Arm

Best Sustainable Garden,  Best Main Lunchbox and Best Value Ad Goonenegerry

Best Gardening program, and Best Marketing Initiative Mullumbimby

Best New Gardening Innovation and Best Snack The Pocket

Best Native Garden and Best Drink Ocean Shores