Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project is proud to announce it has successfully secured funding to establish two Food Ladder greenhouses at Gowrie Street Primary School and Mooroopna Park Primary School.

Food Ladder, a national not-for-profit, supports school communities by installing innovative greenhouses that enable students to grow fresh produce year-round. Both schools already operate highly successful meal programs ensuring students are well-nourished and ready to focus on learning.

Aligning with Lighthouse’s vision to see all children thrive, this funding will be used to install greenhouses that will transform the way students and families eat, learn, and think about food. Each greenhouse will produce more than 250kg of fresh fruit and vegetables annually, supporting school meal programs and providing surplus produce for families to take home, helping to reduce food insecurity in the region.

Lighthouse will coordinate the project, working closely with schools, volunteers, local partners, and community groups to support installation, implementation, and long-term sustainability. Lighthouse staff member Meg Pethybridge will lead the rollout of both projects, which are expected to be operational by the start of the 2026 school year.

The Food Ladder initiatives go beyond growing fresh produce. They give students hands-on learning opportunities that strengthen food literacy, support classroom curriculum, and foster practical skills linked to STEM, sustainability, agriculture, and horticulture career pathways.

“Access to nutritious food is critical to the health, learning, and future opportunities of our young people,” said Amy Robinson, Executive Officer of Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project.

“When Andrew Fairley from the Fairley Foundation first introduced the Food Ladder concept to us, we immediately saw its potential to change lives. Through these projects, we’re not only growing fresh produce, we’re growing skills, confidence, and aspirations. This program will support students, families, and our wider community for years to come, and we’re incredibly grateful to our funders, partners, and volunteers for helping make it possible.”

Lighthouse acknowledges the generous support of the Building Stronger Communities Grant, administered through the Stronger Communities Program. Projects under this program are selected by Members of Parliament and their community consultation committees, ensuring investment in initiatives that deliver real social benefits for local communities.

We also extend our sincere thanks to Shepparton Central Rotary Club, Shepparton South Rotary Club, Shepparton Rotary Club, Food Ladder, and local business supporters including Watters Electrical and Kreskas Brothers Transport for their invaluable contributions to this project.