As Dorset residents brace for further rises in the cost of living, BCHA is encouraging people to shop, cook and eat better with the help of its free Food for Life course.
Food for Life began in Bournemouth in September 2023 and has already helped hundreds of Dorset people to plan, buy and cook healthy meals on a small budget.
The one-day practical course runs for four weeks from Bournemouth Foodbank and is open to all Dorset adults.
Course participant James said: “I have a background in cooking, but I am still seeing the benefits of being on this course. In our first week, our tutor Vicky worked with us to create a healthy tomato pasta sauce. It was fresh and cost a fraction of a shop-bought sauce. It also tasted great, and we had enough to freeze and use as the basis for dozens of other meals.
“I can honestly say that I will never buy a jar of pasta sauce again!
“I’m also enjoying being part of the group. It’s relaxed and friendly and with everything set to become even more expensive it’s just a really helpful course for me to do.”
Derek agreed: “I took the tomato sauce recipe home to my wife, and we made it again a few days later. It was delicious.
“We have also made a curry, with lots of difference spices and vegetables. As well as being affordable, it’s also so healthy and so much cheaper and tastier than buying a ready-made version.”
He added: “I came on the course with a particular interested in learning from Vicky about portion control and healthier ingredients. In the past I would cook with lots of oil, which isn’t needed. We are also learning about ways to add nutrition with ingredients like lentils.”
BCHA Learn is the wellbeing, skills and employability arm of charitable housing trust BCHA. Food for Life is being taught by trained counsellor and cooking tutor Vicky Ashley.
Vicky said: “It’s an enjoyable cooking-based course which also shares information on choosing and buying the best value, healthy ingredients.
"Each week we make a meal which people can either share together or take home to their families. The recipes are simple to follow and very adaptable – they can be meat free or cater to dietary requirements.”
Vicky added: “We are all feeling even more stretched financially.
“Realising how cheaply we can shop for and cook great tasting nutritious food is empowering and a revelation to many. We want to give people the confidence to shop and cook in a better way. Plus, they leave with a basic food accreditation, and we can also give valuable employability advice if needed.
“The feedback from participants, even those who might have been nervous about joining initially, is always really positive and we look forward to welcoming even more people to Food for Life.”
Any Dorset-based adult aged 19 or above can take part in Food for Life. The course takes place at Bournemouth Foodbank in Haviland Road, Boscombe on Thursday mornings and all ingredients are provided free.
Enrolment for the next Food for Life course takes place at BCHA Learn, The Wellbeing Hub, 3-5 Palmerston Road, Boscombe on Thursday April 24th between 10am and 12 midday, with the course taking place at Bournemouth Foodbank for four Thursdays from May 1st. For more information, please call BCHA Learn on: 01202 410595.
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