Just Cook at Visionwest’s Social Supermarket

October 2024 saw the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation (NZNF) partner with the Visionwest’s Social Supermarket  to deliver a 3-session cooking and nutrition programme. What was different about this programme was that participants came directly from the social supermarket and food bank having completed their shopping and with NZNF facilitator support and teaching, prepared food to take home. This new model of delivery programme delivery was very successful as reported below by Renee Manga, Visionwest.

”First and foremost, I was genuinely impressed by the structure and delivery of the classes facilitated by the Nutrition Foundation. The variety of meals you presented was remarkable, providing participants with a rich selection of recipes to engage with over the three-hour sessions. This not only kept the classes dynamic and interesting but also allowed our participants to explore different cooking techniques and ingredients.

The conversations surrounding nutrition, appropriate meal sizes, and overall healthy eating were invaluable. Participants appreciated the opportunity to ask questions and interactively discuss various aspects of nutrition, which contributed greatly to their understanding of healthy eating practices. Moreover, it was particularly effective how you encouraged participants to actively choose which meals they wanted to learn to prepare and cook. This approach fostered a sense of ownership and increased their enthusiasm towards the sessions.

 It was heartening to observe how everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The atmosphere was lively, and it was fantastic to see participants engage with one another. I noted significant growth in their confidence as they navigated new recipes and cooking methods, which was a delight to witness.”