Two Western Bay kindergartens are among nine schools nationwide vying to win a competition celebrating their projects which encourage families to eat healthy foods.

Both Te Puna and Katikati kindergartens have been picked as finalists in the Mother Earth Reward competition – and could win the overall $2500 cash prize or a new Most Promising Entry Award of $1500.

Volunteers working the first bed for planting trees at the KatiKaiWay in Gilfillan Reserve last month.

Plus the kindergartens can also win a People's Choice award of $500 cash by getting the public to vote for them online.

Te Puna is chosen for its project to highlight the ocean as a resource for healthy, nutritious food while Katikati is being recognised for creating KatiKaiWay – a free fruit highway in a public reserve for their whole community.

Katikati Kindergarten teacher Jizzy Green says being chosen as a finalist is 'really cool” and if a winner, they will use the funds to pay for educational signage on KatiKaiWay.

Their project aims to cultivate knowledge, education, production and on-going care of an organic fruit supply 'to benefit our children and the wider community for generations to come”.

The kindergarten (an EnviroSchool) spearheaded KatiKaiway by getting pupils and the community on-board for working bees to plant fruit trees in Gilfillan Reserve after gaining approval for the project from Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

'We wouldn't have been able to do it without the wonderful people and groups in in our community who have backed us and came and helped [with KatiKaiWay],” says Jizzy.

'We're just trying to put out there People's Choice award, so we can win at least $500 if we can get the public to back us.”

Te Puna Kindergarten pupils living close to the nearby estuary prompted them to learn about the sea and their common interest of fishing, says teacher Kerry Neas.

'We thought let's look at healthiness of the sea and kaimoana [seafood]. We've visited different groups in the community and learned about what is in Te Puna and Tauranga that is connected with fishing – to enhance the children's learning.”

Kerry says if the kindergarten wins first prize the money will pay for its outdoor kitchen project, which would enhance the community by being a hub for all.

'It would be a lovely extension of our kindergarten to offer a facility like this for families to enjoy together. It will build on that strong sense of community we strive to achieve; and is an essential component of being sustainable.”

Winners will be announced September 23.

To vote, visit: www.motherearth.co.nz/reward/peoples-choice/