Acton families learn to eat well for less
The L&Q Foundation, part of housing association L&Q, joined up with community interest company FeedMeGood to run nutrition and cooking workshops for local families in Acton.
During the workshops, residents have been learning to cook meals from scratch, grow their own food, shop on a budget and understand the nutritional information on supermarket packaging.
The course recently hosted its final session at the United Anglo Caribbean society in Acton, where families learnt to cook homemade pizza as well as being given handy tips to navigate the weekly shop.
FeedMeGood is passionate about creating environments where families can come together, celebrate different cultures and learn the skills to live healthy, happy lives.
The workshops were fully funded by the L&Q Foundation which re-launched earlier this year with a dedicated £250 million to invest into enhancing its communities.
Matthew Corbett, Director of L&Q Foundation said: "As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to providing more workshops like this which help create successful communities. Feed Me Good has brought residents together and equipped them with the skills to improve their families’ health and wellbeing.
Everything starts at home which is why education around food is crucial to supporting independence, tackling food poverty, and help people to thrive.
Nureen, Founder of FeedMeGood said: “As a growing organisation we feel very honoured to be given the opportunity to meet and build relationships with our incredible students. Cooking and budgeting are essential life skills and we pride ourselves in providing a fun, creative and safe environment, where everyone is welcomed and included.
We want to thank our students for trusting us, being a part of the FeedMeGood Family and embodying the life skills they have learnt.”
Case study
Nadia Shahto moved into L&Q’s new Acton Gardens scheme in September and attended the workshops with her daughter Jana. She said: “The atmosphere is so friendly and I’ve had the chance to meet my neighbours for the first time.
In terms of awareness about sustainability, waste and nutrition it’s been very good. My husband is diabetic so I need all of these nutritional facts. Nureen has helped us with tips to have proper home cooked food. Shopping is really important as I am managing the household budget and she is sharing her experience with us.
The awareness and to be able to transfer this from one person to another is so important. I’m doing this now at my school meetings - most of the parents at my daughter’s school are from Somali or Arab backgrounds so they don’t know brands so I’m passing on my knowledge to them.
Engaging my daughter in the workshop was a great experience – she is very excited, everyday she asks me “when are we going?””