Cooking on a Budget
Learning how to cook nutritious meals
‘Cooking on a Budget’ classes have been delivered by Shetland Islands Council's (SIC) Adult Learning Team for many years now. They aim to provide opportunities for people to develop their confidence, skills and understanding of budgeting, shopping, cooking, healthy food options and how to these can be combined to create healthy meals for less money. Prior to taking part in classes, many participants may have never cooked before; may struggle financially; and may feel isolated. The Team have delivered sessions with various organisations and groups such as; the Family Centre; Bridges; Eric Gray Centre; college and university students; the Methodist Church; the Moving on Employment Project; SIC schools and Food for the Way to name a few.
The class content is developed according to the needs of the particular group of learners. Generally, recipes are chosen along with participants. Ingredients may be purchased together with a group visit to the shops, with food preparation, cooking, eating, and cleaning up all done together as a group. Adult Learning Workers share advice on how to shop cheaply, and provide space for the group reflect on their learning afterwards. Children can also get involved, helping prepare the meals before sitting down to enjoy them. If there is any food left over, participants can take this home, hopefully along with increased knowledge and confidence in how to recreate the meal in the future. Sessions have resulted in:
Sessions have resulted in:
- People learning how to shop cheaper and cook more efficiently
- People learning to cook nutritious meals with versatile ingredients
- Improved family meal times, with many parents/carers and children sitting to eat together for the first time
- Families trying new foods at no cost
- Increased social opportunities and connections
- Cost of living support
This contributes to our ‘Participation, ‘People’, and ‘Money’ priorities. Public agencies and community organisations are helping to deliver improved outcomes for people across the isles; people are being enabled and empowered to address the issues they face; as well as being empowered to minimise their outgoings.