Big push for healthy home-cooked meals with foodies program

FRESH, healthy, home-cooked meals will be on the menu for even more Fraser Coast families after the council launched its new Fraser Coast Foodies program.

The healthy eating program, which is modelled on Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food, will see local volunteers train as instructors to teach food skills in the kitchen.

Basic cooking skills, meal planning and budgeting skills will be taught in the FCF classes, which were created in a joint effort by the Fraser Coast Regional Council and Fraser Coast Health Services.

FCRC Healthy Communities coordinator Nicole McBride said volunteers who enjoyed cooking with people in small groups were being sought for the program.

"They don't have to be chefs to volunteer; good people skills are more important than being a great cook," Ms McBride said.

"The aim of the program is to teach people healthy cooking, nutrition and budgeting skills, which they can then pass on to friends or family and people who will benefit."

Each volunteer will be fully trained and will be provided with practical resources, an ingredients fund and cooking kit.

"Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food was a great success, helping people realise that cooking healthy balanced and most importantly, affordable meals is something everyone can do," FCRC health portfolio Councillor Robert Garland said.

"The Fraser Coast Foodies continues in a similar vein and will be a permanent fixture on the Fraser Coast."

Phone Nicole McBride on 1300 794 929 for details.