A new project is underway in Aberdeen to encourage families to cook delicious and healthy school menu items from scratch.
The Torry Tasters Project which began in February is a partnership between Communities Team in Locality 1 at Aberdeen City Council and Sustainable Food City Partnership Aberdeen’s Veg Cities campaign. The initiative is being delivered by CFINE with additional support from education, facilities and catering staff at Aberdeen City Council. The project is funded by the Health Improvement Fund (HIF).
It brings together parents and pupils at Walker Road and Tullos Primary to learn how to cook and taste items on the school menu, teaching families about the benefits of both free school meals and healthy eating. It will focus on P4-P7 pupils.
The initiative is part of a wider improvement project which will use a number of change ideas to try and increase uptake of school meals including an educational campaign and translated menus.
Six sessions are being run at Tullos Primary kitchen after school and provide parents the opportunity to take the food away for their evening meal. Meals cooked at Tullos Primary include baked bean lasagne, chicken korma and frittata.
Further sessions will run at CFINE’s Cook at the ‘Nook community training kitchen for Walker Road pupils from the April 25 to May 30.
Councillor John Wheeler, Aberdeen City Council’s education operational delivery convener, said: “The lessons are an opportunity for the school pupils in Torry and their families to learn not only a new skill but also the benefits of healthy, nutritious meals on a child’s concentration during the day and their educational attainment.
“Aberdeen City Council is delighted to be working with our project partners on this programme and look forward to the next round of sessions, with the aim of reaching 120 pupils and parents through the workshops.”
Nicky McKay, Veg Cities development worker, CFINE said: “CFINE is pleased to work in partnership with Aberdeen City Council colleagues on the Torry Tasters community project. Under the Sustainable Food City Partnership Aberdeen’s ‘Veg Cities’ campaign, CFINE is aiming to increase the uptake of vegetables in Aberdeen, across all age groups. However, learning to follow a varied diet at a young age is crucial. We are looking forward to welcoming the pupils of Walker Road Primary School in our Cook at the ‘Nook community training kitchen. We will be peeling, chopping, mixing, cooking and baking together.”
All families who take part will be given a cookbook which will include some of the recipes from the school menu and include information about vegetables and healthy eating, from the Veg Cities campaign.
The campaign aims to increase people's intake of vegetables