Sarah Newton, Truro and Falmouth MP and Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, was given food for thought today while taking part in a healthy cooking course in Truro run by the Cornwall Food Foundation.
She helped with the preparation of dhal, flat breads and chutney as part of the FoodWorks course, before sitting down to sample the meal with fellow participants.
FoodWorks is a six-week course that helps people to develop new cooking skills and improve their confidence. Throughout the course, people will learn about nutrition and budgeting, as well as learning to cook a range of tasty, healthy meals from scratch.
FoodWorks is aimed at people who are not currently in work or education to help them build up their confidence and make positive changes in their lives. By taking part in the fun, friendly and accessible course, many people have been inspired to take a more active role in their communities and to seek new education and employment opportunities.
The Cornwall Food Foundation, the charity behind Jamie Oliver’s Fifiteen Cornwall Apprentice Programme, uses food to inspire and enable people from all walks of life to unlock their full potential. The foundation does this through engaging training, interactive community food projects, and inspiring employment opportunities, along with personal, tailored support.
Matthew Thomson, Chief Executive of Fifteen Cornwall and the Cornwall Food Foundation, said: “Food is such an integral part of all of our lives and we know that if we can improve people’s relationships with food, it can benefit their lives overall. FoodWorks demonstrates this on a really practical level.”
MP Sarah Newton said: “It was a pleasure to take part in the FoodWorks course and see how it can create such a positive impact on people, whatever challenges they are facing in their lives.
I would love to see courses like FoodWorks being run right around the country to help people become healthier, to build their confidence and to seek out new opportunities.”
FoodWorks is part of the Food for Change programme, which combines practical skills with tailored personal support to help people set goals, improve their confidence and progress towards work. By learning to grow, cook and trade food, participants on Food for Change can not only increase their employment opportunities but find a new passion for food and feel a deeper connection with their local community.
The community-based programme is currently running in Newquay, Truro, St Austell and the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area. For more information on how to get involved with Food for Change, please email: info@cornwallfoodfoundation.org.