What makes giving through a Community Foundation different to giving directly to a charity? Community Foundations ensure that all donations go to local causes and stay in the region.
In 2025 we were approached by a donor who wanted to give a donation to a nationwide organisation, Garden to Table, but wanted to ensure that the donation stayed within the Northland area.
Garden to Table works with 29 schools across Te Tai Tokerau and gives students hands on experience with growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh fruit and vegetables, whilst teaching children about health, wellbeing and working together. Garden to Table Trust told us that the donor’s generous $15,000 donation enabled kaiako to support 375 children across Te Tai Tokerau Northland with one year of the Garden to Table hands-on and curriculum linked food education program. This program empowers these children to grow, harvest, prepare and share nutritious, affordable and sustainable kai.
“This impact radiates beyond the school gate as children take the learning, recipes and enthusiasm to grow and cook great food with their whānau (families)”, Garden to Table CEO Ani Brunet told us.
Garden to Table also shared how the curriculum has helped children in tangible ways. One child had sensory issues that meant she didn’t like trying new foods, however by being involved in growing and preparing food at school she is now more enthusiastic about cooking and helps to prepare food at home. Another school shared how one student was so involved in cooking that he started to replicate the Garden to Table recipes at home, identifying herbs from the garden, and impressing his family with his knife skills and self confidence that he’d developed through the program.
Garden to Table have also been able to support new schools who have joined the network recently, including Horeke School, a small rural kura with a high equity index and significant isolation. The school has been supported by Garden to Table to build up resources to get their garden started, including arranging the garden supplies to be delivered free of charge by Bunnings.
We extend a huge thank you to our local donor whose generosity has helped these children from across Northland.
Photo: Hurupaki School planting an orchard, Garden To Table.
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