Hurstville Council is offering $1000 to primary schools in the area to establish fruit and vegetable gardens.
Hurstville mayor Con Hindi said many children lived in units and did not get to see how fruit and vegetables were grown.
"Children need to understand how food is cultivated from seeds and plants," he said.
Cr Hindi said produce grown in a backyard (or school yard) was very different to that bought in a supermarket.
"Fruit and vegetables grown in a garden patch taste better, are rich in nutrients and are healthier. Growing your own fruit and vegetables is also an easy way to benefit the environment by reducing the carbon emissions and waste created by shipping and packaging vegetables."
Cr Hindi said communal-type gardens fostered a great sense of community.
