Education from the ground up
![Students and the Green house Students and Green house](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Students-and-the-Green-house-1024x682.jpg)
Food Ladder grew from a kernel of an idea by founders Alex Shead and Kelly McJannett.
Alex was determined to use business to create social change. As a social change specialist, Kelly saw kids struggling to concentrate in class because they were hungry and understood the macro impact of food security. By joining forces, they found a way to combine agricultural technology and teaching systems to create lasting social change.
From the first greenhouse installation, both realised this was a powerful way to reframe food choices for the next generation.
Now, Food Ladder is actively changing minds in every Australian state and territory. Some projects are similar to that first greenhouse. Others use state-of-the-art hydroponics without soil. We even have programs which uses traditional ‘in ground’ planting.
Food Ladder’s recent growth is impressive. But, to us, it’s just the first green shoots.
![leafgreens banner Food Ladder Projects Changing the way asutralia eats](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/leafgreens-banner-922x1024.jpg)
![Student004 Food Ladder Student](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Student004-922x1024.jpg)
Our Beliefs
![Food Ladder Beliefs vegetable icon](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beliefs-icon-1.png)
We provide the building blocks to access fresh food
By growing food locally, we help address affordability, quality and availability issues.
![Food LAdder Beliefs Icon Shield](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beliefs-icon-2.png)
We create a safe space for children and teachers
Our projects are structured, pre-planned and educational, sparking joy in students and offering support and relief to teachers.
![Food LAdder Beliefs Icon idea](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beliefs-icon-3.png)
We teach valuable life skills
Our solution enables students to pursue careers in STEM and agriculture.
![Food Ladder Beliefs Icon idea](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beliefs-icon-4.png)
We inspire change
We have generational impact, ensuring healthier future Australian populations.
![Student006 Food Ladder Students picking vegetables](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Student006-923x1024.jpg)
![Food Banner4 Food Ladder Vegetable harvest](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Food-Banner4-919x1024.jpg)
Our Values
![Food Ladder Values Icon 1](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/values-icon-1.png)
Innovative
We are tech agnostic, with our solution originating from the application of technology in a unique way, never done before.
![Food Ladder Values Icon](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/values-icon-2.png)
Optimistic
We bring joy through transformative experiences.
![Food Ladder Values Icon 3](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/values-icon-3.png)
Nurturing
We educate kids on how to produce, prepare and preserve crops, empowering them to make healthy food choices.
![Food Ladder Values Icon 4](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/values-icon-4.png)
Collaborative
Community and morality is at the heart of everything we do. We encourage teachers, kids, and community members to get involved and get excited.
![Student005 Food Ladder Students working on greenhouse project](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Student005-921x1024.jpg)
![onion Food Ladder Green house plant harvest](https://foodladder.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/onion-922x1024.jpg)
Growing at schools near you
Schools are the heart of Food Ladder. Without them, children would continue misunderstanding food. On this interactive map you can see schools currently using a Food Ladder system (the green pins) plus our planned locations (the yellow pins). To view details simply click on the pin.