The initiative will be kicked off in Devon, with the Innocent and Hubbub working with Exeter-based community hub Love Food CIC to deliver several cooking sessions.
Love Food CIC was set up to increase access to and raise awareness of the benefits of local, organic, vegan and ethical food for animals, health and the environment.
The fruit and veg focused cooking sessions, ‘Ready Steady Veg’, funded by innocent, will take place at St Thomas Community Food Hub where Love Food CIC is located. These workshops are designed to encourage the local community to incorporate more portions of fruit and veg into their diets.
The project has launched here because Innocent wanted to focus on an area where households were known to be struggling to gain access to affordable fruit and veg.
“At innocent, we know two-thirds of the UK still aren’t getting enough fruit and veg. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Hubbub and Love Food CIC to bring ‘Ready, Steady, Veg’ fruit & veg cooking sessions to local communities. These sessions are a fantastic way to inspire everyone to enjoy their 5-a-day,” said John Taylor, general manager for UK & Ireland, Innocent Drinks.
Before it looks to roll out further across the country, the business intends to measure the impact these sessions have and take away key learnings that will inform future plans.
Last week, local Labour MP, Steve Race visited St Thomas Community Food Hub, where he joined in on a special session.
Commenting on his experience, Steve Race, Labour MP for Exeter said: “I had a great time eating a delicious fruit and veg-based lunch with the Love Food CIC team. We live in a region that grows some of the best fresh and nutritious produce in the world. Good nutrition helps us to live healthier lives, giving us more energy and making us less prone to illness. It is especially important in children, helping them to develop physically and mentally. I am proud to be involved with event like this that promotes good nutrition and that supports Exeter communities and families.”
Three more cooking sessions will take place next month on the 7th, 14th and 21st of March.
Following this, Hubbub will distribute a recipe book - funded by innocent - across its ‘community fridge network’, which brings people together to share food, learn new skills, strengthen community ties and reduce food waste. As an extension to the workshops, the cookbook will encourage fruit and veg consumption throughout the UK.
Since 2014, Hubbub has delivered more than 154 trailblazing environmental campaigns in collaboration with over 2,500 partners, helping to shift the national debate on key environmental issues such as food waste and sustainable diets.
“Dialling up the veggie part of our diets is one impactful way to take environmental action, and it’s good for our health and pockets too. We’re excited to team up with innocent and Love Food CIC to share simple, tasty and affordable veggie recipes with more people through the Community Fridge Network,” commented Ellen Rutherford, head of food at Hubbub.
“Love Food CIC is very happy to be running these cooking sessions with Hubbub and innocent, as we aim to give people the skills and knowledge to help them to eat healthier diets, that are better for them and the planet, as well as access to free fruit and veg via our community fridge,” added Maresa Bosano, from LOVE Food CIC.
