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Epping Forest District Council received £1,319 in funding from Active Essex to deliver a food education project for Ninefields Youth Group.
Free food education project
The funding, secured by Essex Youth Service, enabled Epping Forest District Council and Waltham Abbey Church to deliver a free food education project for 8 young people to learn, cook and prepare healthy, nutritious and cost saving meals using an air fryer.
The food education project provides a fun way for young people to learn how to cook popular meals with a healthy twist, using fresh ingredients.
Each week the youth group, based in Ninefields, Waltham Abbey, learnt basic cooking techniques such as measuring, peeling, and chopping to create recipes including:
- Beef burgers
- Cornflake coated chicken
- Pizza pockets
- Homemade chips
- Macaroni Cheese
- Sausage Rolls
- S’mores
- French Toast
Making new friends
Ninefields residents who attended enjoyed learning new things and making new friends.
Q said:
It was fun learning and cooking new things and experimenting with an air fryer.
Ashley added:
I liked the foods that I tried and I liked interacting with new friends.
Those that completed the 8-week project got to take home an air dryer, chopping board, potato peeler, bowl and wooden spoon to continue making the recipes they have learnt at home.
Healthy recipes
Portfolio Holder for Community Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Smruti Patel said:
The food education project provides young people with a skill for life. Learning to cook and the importance of having a well-balanced diet is so important for our mental and physical health.
Projects like this prove you can make healthy, delicious meals on a budget.
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