The Friendly Food Club, a charity that promotes healthy eating through fun community cooking, has been spreading its message across the county as part of the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme. The programme, run by BCP Council and Dorset Council, aims to provide healthy food and activities for children during school holidays.
The HAF Programme: A Partnership Success
The HAF Programme, launched in 2023, has seen significant success in the BCP Council area, with approximately 1,100 children benefiting from activities. The programme’s co-ordinators, Jude Allen and Catherine Stark, praised the partnership with the Friendly Food Club.
- Approximately 1,100 children in the BCP Council area have benefited from activities through the Friendly Food Club.
- The programme has seen significant success, with children growing in confidence when handling and preparing food.
The Friendly Food Club’s sessions have also been a hit with parents, who appreciate the opportunity for their children to learn new skills and develop a healthy relationship with food.
The Friendly Food Club’s Cooking Sessions
The Friendly Food Club held 19 sessions across the county as part of the HAF Programme. At the Cumulus Outdoor Residential Centre in Swanage, 14 children aged five to eight learned to make a rice poke bowl with guidance from tutors Andria, Viv and Caroline.
| Child’s Name | Age | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlett | 5 | She enjoyed cooking with Andria and learned how to use a sharp knife safely. |
| Arthur | 5 | He enjoyed grating carrots and using a frying pan to fry the chicken. |
| Kit | 8 | He gave the lunch they made ten out of ten and enjoyed squashing garlic. |
The children’s feedback was glowing, with Scarlett, aged five, saying: “I liked cooking with Andria. She showed us how to use the sharp knife to cut the carrots without cutting our fingers. I squashed garlic and grated the carrot and we used a frying pan to fry the chicken, which was fun.”
The Friendly Food Club’s History and Impact
The Friendly Food Club was founded by Bridport teacher and restaurateur Tony Gibbons in 2005. Since its inception, the club has delivered sessions to more than 50,000 participants. The club’s mission is to promote healthy eating and cooking skills, while also providing a fun and engaging experience for children.
Aside from the HAF sessions this Easter, the Friendly Food Club also distributed 600 meals via 150 cook boxes to families receiving free school meals. The aim of these boxes is to give ingredients and a recipe to bring families together to cook and enjoy a meal during the holidays.
Quotes from the Friendly Food Club
“We’re very happy to welcome the Friendly Food Club back today,” said Gemma Edwards, senior instructor at Cumulus. “The children really enjoy the classes, and are not only cooking, but are also learning about healthy foods and developing life skills.”
“Since 2023, approximately 1,100 children in the BCP Council area have benefitted from activities through the Friendly Food Club,” said Catherine Stark, HAF co-ordinator for BCP Council.
“The partnership with the Friendly Food Club has greatly benefited our community,” said Jude Allen, HAF co-ordinator for Dorset Council.
“We have seen children grow in confidence when handling and preparing food. It’s a truly rewarding experience to see them enjoy cooking and eating healthy meals together as a family.”
Overall, the Friendly Food Club’s mission to promote healthy eating and community spirit has been a resounding success.
