Latest News - Projects, Vacancies, etc
MINISTRY OF FOOD LEEDS CELEBRATES ITS 1ST BIRTHDAY WITH BRILLIANT RESULTS!
Jamie’s Ministry of Food Leeds is one year old and celebrating with some brilliant results showing significant changes in healthy eating habits for its students.
Evaluation and monitoring of the first year students before, during and after the courses show that six months after finishing the ten week course students not only eat significantly more fruit and vegetables on a daily basis, but they snack less and have increased levels of confidence and ability to cook healthy food from scratch.
Based in Leeds Kirkgate Market, the project aims to teach basic cooking skills in a friendly environment alongside shopping and budgeting tips and healthy eating advice. The project has used 1,653 eggs, 440kg of onions and 1377 tins of tomatoes in its first year, teaching 551 people a range of cooking skills from pizza making to roast dinners.
“We are delighted that the first year results are so good and exactly in line with what NHS Leeds is trying to achieve through it’s commissioning of food work across the city”, says Emma Croft, Lead for Obesity, Food and Physical Activity at NHS Leeds. “The results show significant improvements in key health indicators and we have individual case studies which show participants are benefiting from weight loss, healthier lifestyles and increased confidence.”
Not only are the health-related outcomes impressive, but Project coordinator Simon Chappelow says that the added benefits of joining a course are inspiring. “Here at the food centre we see people of ages and backgrounds coming together to cook and eat, but also making friends, overcoming difficulties and finding the confidence to make other changes in their lives. It’s a fun and friendly centre and we offer something for everyone whether they are a complete beginner or just looking for some new ideas to feed the family”.
Members of the public are invited to call in to the food centre on Row G of the indoor market hall, Leeds Kirkgate Market between 11.30 and 1.00pm on Wednesday 7th September to have a look round the centre and join in the first year celebrations with a piece of birthday cake. For more information about the courses, ring the centre on 0113 242 5685.
Ministry of Food Leeds is a project funded by NHS Leeds and Leeds City Council and managed by local charity Zest – Health for Life in association with the Jamie Oliver Company.
Follow this link to hear from those who have successfully completed the Ministry of Food ten week cookery course and how it has been beneficial to them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpET_v-vYXM
June 2010 - Ministry of Food Leeds
Enrol on a course at the Food Centre in Leeds Kirkgate Market and learn how to make fabulous tasty, healthy and simple meals from scratch!
Courses run for 2 hours per week for 10 weeks, and we will teach you a full range of cooking skills to enable you to prepare quick, healthy and cost-effective meals.. Up to date healthy eating information will be included , and you will receive a range of recipes and information.
Courses are available during market opening hours from Monday - Saturday
Standard course prices will be as follows::
£6 per session x 10 weeks = £60
£5.50 per session x 10 weeks = £55 for Leeds Card / Leeds Card 60 holders
£3.50 per session for holders of a Leeds Card Extra/ Leeds Card 60 Extra/ student ID = £35.00
Call in and meet the Ministry of Food Team to find out more!
To Book on a course either call into the Food Centre, Row G, Leeds Market Hall, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday, or call the centre on 07562 986929.
April 2010 - Food Access Project
Thanks to a two-year grant from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Zest will be starting a community greengrocer project in June. The weekly scheme will bring fresh fruit and vegetables into several venues across Richmond Hill and Halton Moor, where access to fresh produce is scarce or non –existent.
April 2010 – Ministry of Food Leeds
Zest-Health for Life has been appointed to run the Ministry of Food Leeds, due to open in Leeds Kirkgate market in early Summer. Jointly funded and managed by NHS Leeds and Leeds City Council, the Jamie Oliver Ministry of Food will be the third of its kind in the North of England and will provide low-cost ten-week cookery courses teaching people the basic skills needed to cook healthy meals from scratch.
April 2010 – Active Leeds City-wide walking project
Zest – Health for Life has been commissioned by NHS Leeds to coordinate a two-year city-wide walking project. The project will build on previous work to map and promote city walking groups, support and train volunteer walk leaders, create new walking opportunities, especially in disadvantaged areas, and promote both the Walk 4 Life brand and Let’s Get Moving project.
November 2009
The Hesco Bastion Fund has contributed £6,500 to support some of our group activities and associated transport costs for older and isolated people in Leeds 9 and 14. This donation has enabled some valuable work to continue, and as one participant says, “helps keep me fit and well, make friends, have fun and stay young at heart”.