Sowing seeds for a healthy future in Kalkarindji

A grassroots project will focus on increasing nutrition using native plants and hands-on learning.

A grassroots, community-based approach aims to address poor nutrition in remote Indigenous communities.

EON Foundation, which works in partnership with 39 Aboriginal communities and schools to build edible gardens and develop and deliver nutrition programs, is setting up a program in Kalkarindji in the Northern Territory. Funding has been provided by the Katherine Region Communities for Children Facilitating Partner program, facilitated by the Smith Family and funded through the Australian Government.

In remote areas like this, accessing  fresh produce can be difficult, with fruit and vegetables  costing up to 50 per cent more than they would in urban areas.

As a result, the Victoria Daly Regional Council (VDRC) says 94 per cent of Aboriginal children have an inadequate daily intake of fruit and vegetables. Poor nutrition then leads to health problems like heart and kidney disease and type two diabetes.

Phase one of the Kalkarindji project will see a section of the Kalkarindji School grounds transformed into an edible bush tucker and sensory garden.

Donna Donzow, the EON Foundation’s NT operations manager, said working closely with the school was a great way to teach kids about healthy eating habits.

The gardens will feature herbs and plants that the kids can touch, smell and eat, along with yarning spaces where they can learn about the plants and how to use them.

There will be a focus on planting species that are culturally significant to the Kalkarindji/Daguragu area and that have a high nutritional value.

“Anaemia has a huge impact on kids and women in the community. There’s a big push for kids to be eating lots of high protein foods. The boab, which is native to this area, has 23 per cent more iron than a piece of steak,” Donzow said.

“With that in mind, we will teach kids how to make food like boab and basil pesto.”

Another two plots of land in the community will also be transformed into edible gardens.

(VDRC) has supported the process by clearing the land for the gardens.

Mayor Brian Pedwell said the council was proud to support the program to help address the challenge of getting fresh and healthy food to kids in remote communities.

“If we can empower our communities to grow their own food and learn about healthy eating, the benefits will flow on for years to come,” he said.

Donzow said getting as many community members involved in the project as possible was the key to its success.

EON Foundation has brought on Jacqui Young, living in Kalkarindji/Daguragu, who will engage and connect with the community.

“We don’t want to come in telling community how things are going to be done, because the moment we take over, you’ve lost the game,” she said.