Cooking up a health storm

LODDON Campaspe residents can learn how to prepare simple healthy food thanks to an initiative from the Healthy Heart of Victoria.

The program will involve Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food, headed by The Good Foundation, which is providing free hands-on cooking classes.

Healthy Heart of Victoria coordinator Alicia O’Brien said the classes come as the 2019 Active Living Census revealed just one in eight Loddon Campaspe residents are eating enough vegetables.

“The Healthy Heart of Victoria Jamie’s Ministry of Food cooking course responds to these statistics by working with local community groups and organisations to implement a five-week tailored, online cooking course with community members to encourage healthy cooking and eating,” she said.

“The skills participants are gaining from the course will hold them in good stead to continue to cook and eat healthy meals as part of their everyday life and their feedback has been extremely positive.”

CEO of The Good Foundation, Siobhan Boyle said participants can learn “some of Jamie’s special tips and tricks” as well as food, nutrition and cooking principles.

“Maintaining a healthy diet is always important, but beyond just teaching basic cooking skills it also increases confidence, independence and a sense of belonging,” she said.

“Independent reports, including a recent study from the Edith Cowan University have shown that our program increases participants’ cooking confidence, knowledge and attitudes, shifts behaviour change towards healthier eating, and also improves overall mental and general health.”

The next one-hour online sessions take place from 11am to 12 pm on Tuesday, 19 April and Wednesday, 20 April. To register head to bit.ly/38A4dYj.

Healthy Heart of Victoria is funded by the Victorian Government aimed at improving health outcomes of residents across the Loddon Campaspe.