Impact partners improve health outcomes in far north

We recently connected young families in Kaikohe with Beef + Lamb New Zealand, a corporate member, through a specially targeted Just Cook Tika Tunu programme.

In a detailed report to our impact partners, we noted that the participants, (all Māori, early 20’s to mid-30’s with two or more tamariki), had some cooking skills, but were keen to learn more about how they could stretch their budget while using a range of products. 

All the meals that the whānau made over the 6-week workshop, were then recreated at home while adding their own little twist to most recipes. Chilli Con Carne was a firm favourite during the programme, and has since been published on recipes.co.nz. The recipe provides a good source of protein and iron per serve.

After completing the programme, it’s great to see participants confidence has grown in cooking for their whānau, and all families now have some type of garden growing to help ease the cost at the checkout. 

Some of the feedback from our participants:

“This was so cool, fast, tasty and as budget friendly as you can get today. But 6 meals to feed 6 people for $100 is amazing”.

“I have found a better way for my kids to eat noodles, and with all those smuggled vegetables in them that’s a bonus”.

“Got to be honest, didn’t think that these meals were going to feed us all, but wow was I mistaken. All so simple and so, so tasty.”

‘Always thought you had to use heaps of meat, this is the first time I have ever used lentils and my Spaghetti Bolognaise is amazing.”

“I love hummus, but never thought of making it, as I thought it had all sorts of crazy ingredients in it.”

“My Tamariki love steamed buns, but we can usually only afford 1 each. This way, man I will make them all the time”.

“That is the best Pad Thai I have ever eaten, even if I say so myself”.

If you would like to improve health outcomes , please contact Jane on ceo@nutritionfoundation.org.nz