The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is working with partners to encourage schools to establish food gardens.

The project forms part of the National Food Nutrition Programme in the province. The gardens are supplementing the school feeding scheme while also providing an educational resource.

The number of food gardens at Western Cape schools has grown from 120 in 2004 to 278 by 2008. The WCED's school feeding team plans to assist another 20 schools to establish food gardens in 2009.

The team organised nine workshops across the province during 2008 for teachers, parents and learners on the establishment and management of food gardens, soil fertility and pest control, and fruit production.

Meals on Wheels, a non-governmental organisation, organised a permaculture workshop at Struisbaai Primary School, focusing on water-saving irrigation systems and growing seedlings.

Schools in Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha participated in a successful sprout growing project.

Schools in the Hermanus area participated in a food garden competition, with help from the Departments of Agriculture and Water Affairs and Forestry.

The joint winners were Die Bron and Moteith primary schools, with Oosthuisen and Glebe primary schools in second and third place respectively.

The Department of Agriculture provided advice on a food tunnel erected at Xolani Primary School in Gugulethu.

Examples of recent projects include a food garden at Rosewood Primary in Bonteheuwel where a member of the local community is helping to grow cabbage, spinach, celery and beetroot. The school is expanding the garden to accommodate successful seedling production.