A new breed of superheroes is coming to the rescue of the borough’s elderly and cash-strapped families in an effort to tackle food poverty.
The League of Meals is a new scheme bringing together Hackney and Islington residents to create healthy dishes from food donated by local organisations including Hackney City Farm and the Food Hall on Old Street.
The plan is to set up cooking clubs where people can learn to cook together and share recipes. Extra portions will then be sold on to others in the community who do not have the time or the ability to cook healthy meals for themselves.
Johanna Kollmann, who is running the project, said: “Our first trial brought together groups of older people who are interested in healthy eating and passing on their skills to others. There was also a focus on making the most of what we have and not throwing food away.
“Our cooks all had different cultural influences so we were able to produce diverse dishes and share our knowledge of healthy eating.”
A new report on access to healthy food in Hackney, conducted by the Centre for Food Policy at City University London, found that transport to food shops for the elderly was “inadequate” and that many were living on less than £100 a week – less than half of what is needed to fund a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Professor Martin Caraher, one of the report’s authors, said: “Food poverty is about access to the food required to enjoy a healthy life. It is not just that junk food is sometimes cheaper than healthier options; buying a cheap take-away means people do not have to spend extra money on gas to cook their food or fuel to get to the supermarket.”
In some areas, fruit and vegetables are simply not affordable to local residents. Many elderly people are also unable to walk far enough to reach their nearest shop selling fresh fruit and vegetables. Others struggle to carry their shopping bags back.
The League of Meals is now planning to hold a supper club at Fellows Court on 23 March where people will be able to come along and share an affordable, home-cooked meal.
Ms Kollmann added: “These older people enjoy sharing their food, getting feedback on their cooking and helping others eat more healthily.”
