A bevy of schoolchildren greeted President George Abela with an enthusiastic “Bonġu!” when he inaugurated the second and final phase of the Kitchen Garden in San Anton.

They were then treated to activities in the newly designed play areas, in a section previously closed off to the public.

Visitors can now walk in the fields, where seasonal vegetables are grown, and also peek at the small greenhouses built for strawberry-growing.

A new, bigger cafeteria has an outdoor extension and houses bird aviaries.

In conjunction with the Malta Sports Council, the area farthest at the back is now an outdoor gym for adults.

Dr Abela encouraged people to visit the Kitchen Garden for exercise: “And when you’re tired out, you can relax at the cafeteria,” he quipped.

The Kitchen Garden opened to the public last year and includes a cafeteria, a playing area and animal pens. Profits made from the cafeteria throughout over the past 18 months were re-invested in the second phase and from now on all profits will go to the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Vegetables grown in the Kitchen Garden were primarily used for food items sold on the premises and the rest was given to orphanages. Part of the catering is outsourced, he said, as the President’s kitchen was no longer coping with the demand.

The Kitchen Garden is an ideal recreational space for children but is also an educational one.

The President said he liked spending time in the Kitchen Garden and was always delighted to see many schools bring children on outings.

“I’ve seen maths teachers doing their lessons here, getting the young students to count the trees. I’ve seen others organise treasure hunts for herbs,” Dr Abela said.

A spokeswoman said employees’ complaints on working hours and management, which came to light in November, were ironed out when the President met the staff to discuss the issues.

“It was the teething problems of the first year. It is of utmost importance for the workers to be happy at the Kitchen Garden as, otherwise, they would not be able to give a good service,” she said.

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