Allie Godfrey
Forget the soggy sandwich and packaged snack – some of our local school kids are showing us just how exciting a healthy lunchbox can be.
The Grow Your Own Lunchbox Challenge returns to Mullumbimby Farmers Market this Friday, bringing local schools together for a high-energy celebration of growing, harvesting, cooking and eating great food.
Launched in 2015 by Mullum Farmers Market, the challenge encourages schools to keep their kitchen gardens thriving while giving children a real connection to where their food comes from.
The idea is simple: grow it, harvest it, cook it and turn it into a delicious lunchbox.
And if you need a little inspiration, last year’s young cooks came up with some seriously impressive creations.
Goonengerry Public School took out Best Main with their garden-grown croquettes, while The Pocket won Best Snack with macadamia cookies. Ocean Shores created a refreshing lemon myrtle drink and Mullumbimby Public impressed with their choko and zucchini relish.
The 2025 Best Overall Lunchbox went to Main Arm Upper Public School with an inventive combination of okonomiyaki pancake, strawberry lemonade and beetroot brownie – proving garden produce can go a long way beyond a salad!
But the challenge isn’t just about cooking. Schools are also celebrated for what’s happening in their gardens. Main Arm took out Best Veggie Garden, Goonengerry Best Sustainable Garden for its wicking beds and healing garden, Ocean Shores Best Native Garden, and The Pocket Best New Gardening Innovation for its aeroponics. Mullumbimby Public was recognised for its gardening program and clever marketing initiatives.
The children are encouraged to think about the whole food cycle – from composting and sustainable growing to preserving, cooking and finding creative ways to keep their school gardens thriving.
Local farmers, growers and foodies judge the entries, with prizes reinvested directly back into the school gardens.
Come and see our next generation of growers and cooks in action at the Grow Your Own Lunchbox Challenge, Friday 4 September, 8.30am to 11am at Mullumbimby Farmers Market.
• Mullumbimby Farmers Market is held every Friday from 7am to 11am at the Mullumbimby Showground.
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