Facilitators are needed for community kitchens like the one run at Millgrove last year. Exploring the healthy eating opportunitiesBy Kath Gannaway
BOB Prudhoe and Bruce Fowler are enthusiastic advocates for community kitchens.
When the Mail spoke with the men last year they were busy with other members and facilitators of the Millgrove Men’s Community Kitchen cutting up vegetables and preparing to cook up a storm.
Mr Fowler said his eating habits had changed through his involvement with the kitchen.
“As a group we motivate each other. I go across to Bob’s and we have a cook-up during the week. That way we both eat better,” he said.
Jo Stanford, who organises the community kitchen projects for Yarra Valley Community Health Service, said the benefits of the community kitchen model are well proven.
The kitchens have proved an innovative approach to promote healthy eating and the development of personal skills and social support networks for different groups in local communities.
While the Millgrove kitchen was targeted at men, there are also opportunities to target specific target groups such as diabetics, young mums and the elderly.
Unfortunately, while the demand is there, a lack of trained facilitators has meant the kitchens in Healesville and Millgrove have had to take a break.
Ms Stanford is keen to get the programs back on track and is looking for volunteers.
The YVCHS will run a training workshop for people who are interested in becoming facilitators.
The workshop will cover healthy eating, food safety, budgeting, working in groups, recipe ideas and lots more.
“No experience is needed, just a passion for cooking and a desire to help out with a very exciting program,” Ms Stanford said.
The workshop is on Monday, 23 July, between 12.30pm and 5pm in Healesville and lunch is provided.
For further information call YVCHS on 1300 130 381.
