Bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients into early childhood menus
Why introduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders foods to children?
Richard Read, cook at Flemington Childrens Centre, saw an opportunity to feature Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients in early childhood centre menus. His passion for celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and introducing children to new food experiences has helped bring cultural learning and diverse flavours into centre menus.
“It’s our culture, it’s our history, and it shouldn’t be left behind”
Richards’ motivation came from a commitment to learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and celebrating their traditional foods in everyday life. In Richard’s words, “trying to put as much of the Indigenous ingredients into what I can, where I can.”
Where it started
Richard began experimenting with dishes, such as Warrigal Greens pasta and adapting them with the help of FoodChecker for early childhood settings. Ever since, he has continued to gradually introduce and champion Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients in the menu.
“If I can have a 2% impact on a child… just from them trying it, it’s a start”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients
Richard explored Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients that can be easily incorporated into early childhood menus to add flavour, cultural learning opportunities and nutritional variety.
Some of the ingredients Richard uses include:
Saltbush
Saltbush can be added to salads, stir-fries, roasted vegetables, marinades or blended into pesto to introduce a mild savoury flavour.
Pepperleaf
Pepperleaf can be used as a seasoning in soups, stews, salads, pesto, damper and breads to add a gentle native flavour to everyday dishes.
Cinnamon myrtle
Can be added to porridge, stewed fruit and muffins.
Roasted wattle seed
Can be ground or sprinkled into baking, smoothies, or used to add a nutty flavour to savoury dishes.
Richard aimed to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients into existing recipes without altering the taste. He researched suitable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients and documented these findings. Richard reached out to suppliers to find out which ingredients were available and requested new ones to try.
From there, Richard successfully changed recipes, swapping familiar ingredients with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alternatives, including:
- Cinnamon → Cinnamon myrtle
- Nuts → roasted wattle seed
- Spinach → Warragul greens
- Plums → Kakadu plums
Richard shared his learning with others, giving parents and caregivers samples of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients and adding the ingredients to the children’s playdough to prompt their senses and discussions that build awareness and understanding.
The benefits of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients
Introducing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients has increased meal satisfaction and strengthened engagement from children and families. Many now request recipes to recreate meals at home. The initiative has supported learning, not only about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients and cooking, but also encouraged valuable opportunities to explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history.
“Children really enjoy the food, they demolish it”
Tips for including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients in your centre
- Explore resources: Cookbooks, HEAS tools (e.g., FoodChecker), online resources/blogs.
- Brainstorm simple swaps: Brainstorm simple, achievable ingredient swaps to trial.
- Network and build relationships with suppliers: Ask regular and new suppliers which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ingredients they stock and whether they can source more.
- Document learnings: Keep a list of ingredients and recipes the children enjoy.
- Seek community feedback community: Ask families and caregivers to taste-test recipes and provide feedback.
- Connect with other cooks: Join a Cooks network & share knowledge with others. Share recipes, simple swaps, and trial-and-error experiences.
- Consider participating in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural education or professional learning opportunities
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Want to assess your menu?
The Healthy Eating Advisory Service acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past and present.
The Healthy Eating Advisory Service is delivered by experienced nutritionists and dietitians at National Nutrition Foundation, with support from the Victorian Government.
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