Eatwell Results by Borough
Barking & Dagenham – Becontree Heath
Community Feasts
On Friday 24th July 2009, as part of Heath Ward Annual Community Fun Day and Be Creative Be Well event, the East African Community Welfare Association provided a feast at the Heath Park Community Hall. The feast consisted of sandwiches of various different healthy fillings and water for refreshment.
The second Community Feast for Becontree Heath will be held in summer/autumn 2010. Watch this space!
Cook & Eat activities
The first round of Cook & Eat activities was run by Barking & Dagenham YWCA. Courses ran for 6 weeks in summer 2009. Residents learnt how to grow their own fruit and vegetables and were amazed at how easy it was. They then learnt how to cook quick, tasty meals from the food they had grown.
Quotes from participants include:
“I loved the learning to grow my own food in pots”
“I loved learning to grow wholesome food the healthier way”
“I got out of my home and made new friends”
The second round of Cook & Eat activities are being delivered by B&D YWCA, between April 2010 and March 2011. To sign up or for more information contact Blossom Burt, Blossom.Burt@ywca.org.uk or 0208 593 3931.
Brent - Kensal Green
Community Feasts
The Tubbs Road Feast held on 1st August, 2008 saw Brent’s very own local Brazilian café cater a balanced menu that followed food groups and ratios of the ‘eat well’ plate. Organisers felt it was important to promote social cohesion and inclusion within the community and from an original focus on Caribbean and Brazilian/Portuguese culture the scope was expanded to Indian, West African and German. Various community members received £10 vouchers with an invitation to the Feast and were encouraged to contribute a healthy dish. Healthy tips for a balanced diet were included on the back of the vouchers, such as advice about minimizing salt and fat, 5-a-day intakes, and the benefits of increasing fibre content in meals.
A second Community Feast was organised on 15th December, 2008 at Pocket Park. All the menus for the day had been tried and tested through cook & eat taster sessions where a nutritionist was on hand to evaluate calorie/fat content and recommend preparation methods and healthy ingredients. There was a wide selection of cuisines from diverse communities such as Brazilian, Caribbean, African and Asian.
Camden - Haverstock
Community Feasts
On 16th August, 2009, the Kentish Town City Farm opened its grounds to the Healthy Food Competition, which was organised to celebrate and showcase healthy, seasonal and local foods. Organisers advertised prizes for the healthiest dishes to encourage people to create healthy imaginative dishes. Individual residents and local community groups contributed dishes from several cultures. They featured Latin American, Indian, Greek and traditional English cuisine. The cookery sessions were led by nutritionist/horticulturalist Mila Campoy who ensured the dishes were sourced as locally, sustainably and healthily as possible.
Overall verbal feedback to staff on the day was extremely positive. People liked the idea of linking sustainability with a food event and were interested in nutrition advice, which they received from the judges at the food tables. People enjoyed eating with musical accompaniment and children engaged well with the creative activities on offer.
The second Community Feast for Haverstock will be held in summer/autumn 2010. Watch this space!
Croydon – Broad Green
Community Feasts
On 26th July 2008, the Love Croydon Volunteers put together a community feast in the form of a barbeque. After consulting with the Local Youth Club, they included corn on the cob and jerk chicken but healthy salads and fruit were also offered to promote healthy eating. There was a good take up and interest shown in this resulting in various discussions with local residents about what they eat and how easy it was to reach ‘5 a day’.
The second Community Feast was run at a Fun Day on Sunday 12th September 2009. A range of fun activities were available for all local residents to take part in and a variety of foods provided to celebrate different local cultures and showcase healthy eating.
Ealing – South Acton
Community Feasts
The first feast in South Acton was held on 28th February 2009 to launch Well London activity in the area.
Quotes from attendees included:
“Fantastic”
“The food is great, the people are wonderful”
“Lots of activities for the children, good community spirit”
The second Community Feast for South Acton was attended by 272 local residents on 16 April 2010 at Oaktree Community Centre. The food was provided by local people who brought along traditional healthy dishes, and on the day the feast brought together old and young alike and enabled all generations to share a meal together. Activities such as face painting, t shirt printing and hairdressing as well as local service providers offering information were available on the day.
Enfield – Upper Edmonton
Community Feasts
The first Community Feast in Upper Edmonton was held on Sunday 18th October 2009 from 2-5pm at Church Street Recreation Ground. The event combined a YMCA football tournament with a family fun day.
The second Community Feast for Upper Edmonton will be held in summer/autumn 2010. Watch this space!
Greenwich – Woolwich Common
Community Feasts
On 22nd July 2009, a Community Feast was provided in partnership by NHS Greenwich, Barnfield Project, GCDA and Feast Your Eyes. Food consisted of barbequed vegetables and home-made beef burgers and lots of delicious and wholesome salad, and the meat was halal to cater for the Somali Muslim community. The local Mayor was also invited to the event and engaged with residents from a wide range of ethnic origins.
A second Community Feast took place on 14th November 2009 at the Finale of the Barnfield Project. The menu showcased salt-free soup, no fried food, culture bread, halal meat and African and Caribbean food. The event was very popular, with 300 people attending.
Hackney – Woodberry Down
Community Feasts
On 11th July 2009, a Community Feast was held at the Woodberry Downs Community Fun Day. Three types of cuisine were on offer: barbeque, Turkish and European (sandwiches, pasta and potato salads, quiches, bruschetta and pizza). Only fresh ingredients were used with no additives and a nutritionist was there on the day to go through the menu. Bangladeshi women had high praise for the feast, saying they had not tasted food like this before. There was also a children’s area with various arts and crafts activities and a ball pit and a football tournament, and an area with local information, mixing the healthy eating together with councillors, police and wardens, local colleges and schools and Age Concern.
The second Community Feast for Woodberry Down will be held in summer/autumn 2010. Watch this space!
Cook and Eat activities
The first round of Cook & Eat activity in Woodberry Down was run in autumn 2009 by the Manor House Development Trust at the Robin Redmond Resource Centre. Two Cook & Eat courses promoted food and nutrition and increased participants’ knowledge of whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, grains, pulses, nuts and seeds. Participants were shown how to add new healthy recipes to their current diet and were introduced to how to prepare simple, healthy and affordable dishes. They were also taught how to convert their own traditional recipes to more healthy ones.
The second round of Cook & Eat activities are being delivered by Shoreditch Spa between April 2010 and March 2011. To sign up or for more information contact Kye Lockwood, kye@shoreditchspa.org.uk or 0844 225 2054.
Hammersmith & Fulham – White City
Community Feasts
White City’s first Community Feast was held as a Harvest Festival on 18th September 2008, in partnership with Phoenix High School.
The second Community Feast joined in with the Phoenix Summer Fair on 4th July 2009, which attracted over 2,200 people. Organisers delivered a special nutritional message by hosting a community barbeque with food from around the world including Polish, Jamaican, Algerian and Italian cuisine. Fun activities available on the day included free funfair rides, free BBQ, football tournaments, circus skills, face painting, traditional stalls, music and entertainment.
Cook & Eat activities
The first round of Cook & Eat activity in White City was run by Staying Put Services in 2008 and was a great success. 10 adult participants met Naami Padi (Community Nutritionist) every Monday morning for eight weeks at the local Phoenix farm, where they sowed seeds and harvested the resulting vegetables. For many members of the group, this was the first time they had become involved in local community activities and they all enjoyed the opportunity make new friends and learn new skills. Participants ranged from young mothers to pensioners and the group was ethnically diverse, reflecting the cultural mix of the area. Participants were provided with a pack containing general healthy eating information including balance of good health, energy balance, food labelling and food hygiene.
The second round of Cook & Eat activity is being run by Phoenix High School in partnership with Staying Put Services, from December 2009 – March 2011. To sign up or for more information contact Marcia Clack, marcia_clack@phoenix.lbhf.sch.uk or 0208 749 1141.
Haringey – Noel Park
Community Feasts
To celebrate the start of Well London in Noel Park, a Community Feast and Mini Olympics was launched at Russell Park on 10th August 2008. Residents were asked to bring a dish and share with neighbours.
A second Community Feast was held in the Sand Bunker on 25th February 2010, run by the Holistic Healing Show. Raw foods were combined into a variety of healthy and delicious salads – savoury and sweet – which were very popular. 108 people came along and were able to try out free massages, receive dental hygiene and general health advice and get free plants in pots to take home.
Cook & Eat activities
The first round of Cook & Eat courses were successfully run throughout 2009 by Noel’s Kitchen, with 10 people participating in 6 practical lessons, a shopping trip and an end of course party. Participants learnt about healthy eating, how to prepare fresh produce, how to adapt their favourite dishes to make them healthier, how to shop healthier, increasing their confidence and finally having fun at the same time!
The second round of Cook & Eat activity is being delivered by the Council for Asian People from April 2010 – March 2011. To sign up or for more information contact Santhosh Chandran Vazhappilly, santhosh@asiancentre.co.uk or 0208 889 6938.
Hounslow - Cranford
Community Feasts
The first Community Feast in Cranford was designed in collaboration with the Big Lunch on 19th July 2009 where members of the community were invited to bring their own dishes for everyone to try. The families that attended enjoyed the food, social interaction and activities that were organised despite the rain. Organisers are confident that the positive outcome of this event would encourage people to return.
The second Community Feast for Cranford will be held in summer/autumn 2010. Watch this space!
Cook & Eat activities
The first round of Cook & Eat activities were run by the Riana Development Network Foundation in summer 2009. 20 participants were taught to cook healthy meals from scratch and went out and convinced their friends and family to do the same.
The second round of Cook & Eat activity will also be delivered by the Riana Development Network Foundation from April 2010 – March 2011. To sign up or for more information contact Rodgers Orero, Rodgers@riana.org.uk or 0208 580 1043.
Islington - Canonbury
Community Feasts
The first Community Feast in Canonbury was held on 18 June 2008. The event was organised for elderly residents in the Canonbury area by the Older People’s Sub-Group and was held at the Walter Sickert Community Centre, in the heart of the New River Green estate. Activities timetabled throughout the day included singing, exercise, Egyptian Dancing, Sequence dancing, Lindy Hop Dancing and a performance, hand massages, manicures, facials, an internet café and information stalls giving health advice and information and a talk on falls prevention. The food was a healthy lunch, considering healthy ways to create old favourites.
The second Community Feast for Canonbury will be held in summer/autumn 2010. Watch this space!
Cook & Eat activities
The first round of Cook & Eat activities were run by the New River Green Children Centre between January and June 2009. The cook and eat courses ran for 3 language groups, Turkish, Bengali and Somali. Everyone learnt about food labelling, recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables, new recipes, how to identify healthy/ non-healthy foods and how to cook traditional foods more healthily. Everyone reported that after being on this course they are now eating more portions of fruit and vegetables daily. Feedback from the course was very positive with mothers keen to continue learning and Turkish parents arranging food shopping trips together. The chef from the course has also volunteered to support the group in giving them further advice.
The second round of activities are being delivered by the Manor Gardens Welfare Trust between April 2010 and March 2011. To sign up or for more information contact Siobhan Mannion, Siobhan@manorgardenscentre.org or 020 7561 5281.
Kensington & Chelsea – Notting Barns
Community Feasts
The first Community Feast in Notting Barns was held on 15 May 2010 at a Family Fun Day. Local residents were able to participate in food planting workshops, circuit training, drumming, mosaic making and a film workshop among other activities. The food was provided by a local healthy food shop, showcasing delicious vegetarian food.
The second Community Feast will follow in summer/autumn 2010. Watch this space!
Lambeth - Larkhall
Community Feasts
On 22nd August 2008, a Community Feast was organised at the Stewarts Road Adventure Playground with the aim of educating young people about a lifestyle of healthy eating options. This did not aim to stop young people eating fast food but put into context the balance between fresh fruit and vegetables, lean or white meats and the consumption of fast foods as an everyday option. With this in mind the event was centred around a barbeque with burgers and halal sausages.
The second Community Feast in Larkhall was also held at the Stewarts Road Adventure Playground, on 13th August 2009. Most of the fruit and vegetables eaten were grown at the Adventure Playground and people from different ethnic backgrounds cooked their own traditional food – a Bangladeshi family made vegetable rice, a Pakistani family made spinach puree and al the meat was halal. Volunteers held football sessions with children and teenagers helped out with serving the food. Approximately 240 people attended.
Cook & Eat activities
The first round of Cook & Eat activities were delivered by Sports Action Zone from January to May 2009. These included Cook & Eat courses for 20 participants, who reported that the project had helped them make more healthy eating choices, access affordable healthy foods and increase their levels of physical activity. The project was split into 3 distinct activities:-
- A weight loss group run by a nutritionist/food worker who demonstrated healthy recipes, advised on healthier eating choices and weighed participants each week and advised on BMI, diets etc.
- A family “cook and eat at home” group run by a nutritionist who introduced a dietary topic each week accompanied by a related dish which participants cooked together and then took home to share with their families.
- One off sessions on healthy alternatives to junk food at local projects, run by a local youth worker whom we had trained in nutrition/food hygiene.
The second round of Cook & Eat activities are also being run by Sports Action Zone, from December 2009 – March 2011. For more information or to sign up contact Christine Keiffer, christine.keiffer@southbanklondon.com or 07779 233894.
Lewisham - Bellingham
Community Feasts
A Community Feast at the Family Wellbeing Day in Bellingham on 17th October 2008 attracted around 350 people, including 65 children. The menu was very diverse, with local people, parents from schools and parishioners all cooking something from their own countries either at home or in the kitchen of the church for the event. Healthy dishes were served from Italy, Ireland, Africa, England, Asia, China, Philippines and Caribbean. The feast was very well received and people had a chance to talk about customs and culture of their own countries specifically around food. It was a mutual exchange whereby people who cooked the food took great pride in others enjoying their dishes and the attendees had the chance to sample new foods.
The second Community Feast for Bellingham will be held in summer/autumn 2010. Watch this space!
Cook & Eat activities
The first round of Cook & Eat activities are being delivered by the Bellingham Community Project between April 2009 and spring 2011. For more information contact Julian Rouse, JRouseBCP@aol.com or 020 8461 2213.
The second round of Cook & Eat activities are being delivered by the Sage Educational Trust between June 2010 and March 2011. To sign up or for more information contact Ros Spinks, Rosspinks@gmail.com or 020 8461 4852.
Newham – Canning Town North
Community Feasts
The first Community Feast in Canning Town North was held on 13th September 2008 at the Earthworks Consultation at Star Park. Cyromas Catering provided a range of healthy foods for local residents to try out.
Sat 29th August 2009 saw the second Canning Town North Community Feast in Star Park from 12-5pm. Activities included a graffiti workshop, face painting, badge making, Tai Chi, football and a bouncy castle. Local information was available and free delicious and healthy Caribbean food was provided by Café Rial.
Cook & Eat activities
Newham Food Access Partnership ran the first round of Cook & Eat courses between 15th November and 13th December 2008. The 6 week course planned to help participants develop their skills in adapting their favourite recipes into healthier dishes by reducing fat, salt and sugar, understanding food labels, cooking new recipes on a budget and general healthy tips and ideas.
The second round of Cook & Eat activity is being delivered by CTR Triangle Ltd from December 2009- March 2011. For more information or to sign up contact Robert Churchill, Robert.Churchill@newham.gov.uk or 020 8430 4775.
Southwark – Nunhead/Cossall & Brimmington
Community Feasts
As part of the Green Futures Food Growing project, a Community Feast was held on 3rd October 2009. The menu was vegetarian with salad options, fresh fruit and healthy herbal teas. In addition, a barbeque was set up for sweetcorn, veggie burgers and jacket potatoes. A nutritionist helped make a plum crumble and was on hand for any help or questions. Finally, a Jerk Sauce competition was in place to get members of the community mingling.
The second Community Feast for Southwark will be held in summer/autumn 2010. Watch this space!
Tower Hamlets - Limehouse
Community Feasts
On 28th August 2008 an International Food and Beauty Day was held at Lansbury Lodge. It offered women the chance to try new foods, celebrate their local community and find out about courses and crèche facilities on offer at the centre. Women could also get their hair, makeup or henna done. Participants with a voucher were also entitled to free drinks or food at the café.
A second Community Feast took place on 29th April 09, again at Lansbury Lodge. It was set up by Cafe Relax in order to make healthy, tasty and affordable food available to local residents. The menu was developed with the support of Well London’s Buywell programme officer and a Tower Hamlets Public Health Dietician. Participants at the community feast with a voucher had the opportunity to order any item from the menu for free. The Cafe Relax team is made up of women from a diversity of different ethnic backgrounds and the menus sought to represent the diversity of the borough; the dishes of the day for the feast were shepherds pie served with salad, and chickpea curry served with rice and salad.
Cook & Eat activities
The first round of Cook & Eat activities in Limehouse were run by Poplar Harca from November 2008 – March 2009. Participants were taught about healthy eating and nutrition, how to source and cook affordable and healthy food and how to manage their budget. They also kept a food diary to monitor their eating habits. From the 23 people whom attended the session, 20 rated the sessions 5 out of 5 (excellent).
The second round of Cook & Eat activity is being delivered by City Gateway from December 2009 - March 2011. For more information or to sign up contact Hadija Nanfuka, Hadija.nanfuka@flavourgateway.com or 02030564063.
Waltham Forest – Hoe Street
Community Feasts
The first Community Feast in Hoe Street was held on Friday 30th October at St Mary’s C of E school. It was a half term event and featured sporting activities including football, basketball, drama and street dance. The event was attended by parents and children, local stakeholders and voluntary organisations. A nutritionist was on hand to provide healthy eating advice and food included fresh fruit and vegetables.
The second Community Feast for Hoe Street will be held at the Big Lunch on Sunday 18th July 2010. Watch this space!
Westminster – Queen’s Park
Community Feasts
The first Community Feast in Queen’s Park was on Monday 28th September 2009 at a consultation on Selby Square at the Beethoven Centre. The menu was designed by a nutritionist, with the focus on healthy options from various cuisine types. Food came from Bengali, Caribbean and Lebanese cuisines, the three biggest ethnic backgrounds within the area. Quotes from attendees include:
“The food was delicious”
“Great to see such diverse selection of foods, it was lovely”
“My kids have had a great time guessing the weight of the melon and where did you get that food from, I want to take some home.”
“It was good to see how important it is to eat healthily”.
The second Community Feast in Queens Park was held at the Queen’s Park Forum Health Fair on 17th March 2010 at the Beethoven Centre. Over 200 local residents of all ages attended. The day consisted of local health information in the afternoon, followed by an evening of performances by local residents and information on local services for the elderly.
Borough Links
Click on your borough to find out what Eatwell projects have happened and are coming up in your area:
- Barking & Dagenham – Becontree Heath
- Brent - Kensal Green
- Camden - Haverstock
- Croydon - Broad Green
- Ealing - South Acton
- Enfield - Upper Edmonton
- Greenwich - Woolwich Common
- Hackney - Brownswood
- Hammersmith & Fulham - White City
- Haringey - Noel Park
- Hounslow - Cranford
- Islington - Canonbury
- Kensington & Chelsea - Notting Barns
- Lambeth - Larkhall
- Lewisham - Bellingham
- Newham - Canning Town North
- Southwark - Nunhead/Cossall & Brimmington
- Tower Hamlets - Limehouse
- Waltham Forest - Hoe Street
- Westminster - Queen's Park