The former Manukau City Council’s initiative to proactively address deepening health concerns in a large section of the population by promoting healthy eating has proved to be a great success, encouraging the new Auckland Council to expand the project.

Over the past two, the Manukau Parks Growing for Health – Teaching Garden project has had more than 1000 people involved in its innovative programme.

An alarming 74% of the local population is considered obese with 12,000 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and a further 12,000 suspected cases.

Eating a healthy diet of mostly organically grown vegetables can go a long way in providing the required balance to a diet otherwise deficient in fibre and other valuable nutrients that come from veggies.

The Growing for Health project encourages people to grow their own veggies themselves and then enjoy their health benefits. Project Manager Varsha Belwalkar says, “We provide garden plots, seeds and mentors to teach how to plant, grow and manage vegetable and fruit gardens and encourage people to grow their own kitchen gardens in their homes. And it is free.”

The Teaching Gardens project supports the Let’s Beat Diabetes Gardening for Health and Sustainability initiative. The model is one of experiential learning of basic horticultural husbandry techniques delivered by paid mentors.

Plots are allocated to an individual or a group to grow vegetables for a season, and participants are taught a range of skills from seed germination through to harvesting. The project is based on two 20-week courses aligned to the winter/summer seasons. The 20-week course prepares participants to grow their own fruit and vegetables at home.

“We started with 4 Gardens – 2 in the Mangere area and 2 in Papatoetoe. The concept was to bring all community together and enjoy the parks -- Extended recreation,” says Ms Belwalkar.

Two more gardens will be developed this year and new programmes will also include cooking classes – free (Vegetarian cooking) as also Food Processing as an extension of this programme.

The programme won the award for best project of the council last year.

“We are starting new season – mid March. Please come and join this free programme,” says Ms Belwalkar.

For more information about joining the project call 09 262 8900 extension 5183 or mobile 0274731078. Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz