May 2005

Project plants the seeds of a nutritious lifestyle

Victorians with a disability will be encouraged to plant a vegetable patch to improve their health and wellbeing under a new Government initiative.

Visiting the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services Telmo Languiller said the Department of Human Services would work with people with disabilities living in community residential units to establish an ‘edible garden’.

‘This program will help more than 2,000 people with disabilities across Victoria to grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs and incorporate fresh produce into their daily diet,’ Mr Languiller said.

‘Creating an edible garden will encourage people with disabilities to work with their carers and families to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.’

Launching the Creating Edible Gardens Project, Mr Languiller said the program aimed to improve the physical and social wellbeing of people with a disability.

‘Caring for the garden will provide a fun outdoor activity for residents to share with loved ones and will improve residents’ nutrition and physical health.

‘The program will also help people with disabilities to meet new people in the community and give them a real sense of achievement.’

Mr Languiller said the project reflected the aims of the State Disability Plan, which outlined the Government’s 10-year vision to support the rights and individual aspirations of people with disabilities in the community.

• Tips on how to establish an edible garden, what to plant and healthy recipes can be found on the Department of Human Services website—www.dhs.vic.gov.au/ediblegardens.