‘One less thing to worry about’: Serving support at Gowrie Street

Spearheaded by lunch program co-ordinator Chelsea Smith, the school’s free hot dinners program provides takeaway dinners one night a week for families of Gowrie Street students.

While the initiative offers valuable support for families doing it tough, Ms Smith said the program was for everyone.

“Everyone’s invited to come and have dinner,” she said.

“Whether you want to put it down to the price of living at the moment, or working families being busy.

“It’s one less thing you have to worry about, it’s convenient.

“It’s helpful for everyone in a different way.”

Each Wednesday, families who sign up are treated to a different meal, from pasta bake and roast dinners to curries and slow-cooked lamb.

The menu is guided by donations from Shepparton Foodshare, which provides all the food used in the hot dinners program.

“Without Foodshare, this program wouldn't be. It’s as simple as that,” Ms Smith said.

Depending on what Foodshare has available, the school feeds two to eight families once a week.

“Our donations really guide what I’m cooking,” Ms Smith said.

The hot dinners initiative is the latest addition to Gowrie Street’s food services.

The school’s Healthy Food Program provides more than 200 students with free breakfast, morning tea and lunch every school day.

Over the past four years, Ms Smith has watched the growing program transform students’ wellbeing.

“Making sure students have an equal playing field when it comes to food is a massive advantage when it comes to being able to concentrate in the classroom,” she said.

“They’re able to run and play at play time with their friends because they’ve got a full belly of food.

“There are so many positive things that come out of a healthy diet.”

The school’s recently opened greenhouse will further strengthen the program by allowing students to grow produce they’ll eventually help cook and serve.

“They’re all skills that they’ll take into their life,” Ms Smith said.

“We’re very much guiding them to create their own healthy habits.”

Parent Adrian Hamilton said it was great for the students to gain hands-on learning from the meal programs.

“And it’s good for the parents, especially with the cost of living these days,” he said.

Fellow parent Thomas Rhodes agreed the food programs had made life easier for families.

“I can just send George to school. She doesn't have to have lunch packs, she gets breakfast, recess and then lunch,” Mr Rhodes said.

“It’s definitely expanded her palate, and she’s more willing to try new things.”

He added with a laugh: “George seems to like Chelsea’s cooking more than mine.”

Ms Smith hopes sharing Gowrie Street’s expanding program will inspire other schools.

“I hope it opens up the conversation for other schools to do the same thing,” she said.