Help us Bring Bags of Taste to the Sunderland community for the first time so local people can improve their diets, health and finances. Their home cooking courses are comprehensive, evidence based and address the many barriers that people in poverty face to eating healthily. Participants receive a free bag of ingredients and recipes delivered to their door and cook three meals in groups over Whatsapp or the phone. Groups are fun and interactive and each participant has a mentor to support them every step of the way. They learn budgeting, shopping and cooking tips. At the end, they can join long term online support group so they can continue to cook more, eat healthily and save money for life. Since 2014, Bags of Taste have empowered and inspired 7,000 people and given them more control over what they and their families eat. Outcomes are long lasting and show that people are happier, healthier and better off. Skills learnt benefit friends, family and future generations.

What we'll deliver:

• 4 mentored courses over 12 months to 120 people (30 people a course)
• pay for ingredients and packaging for 120 people
• pay for sessional worker

Why it's a great idea:

Bags of Taste is a national organisation addressing the challenges of food poverty. Their partnership with My Sisters Kitchen, a food project in Sunderland, will benefit our community. People in poverty have the worst diets and health outcomes but it’s challenging to improve their diets. There are a number of factors: food and energy costs, lack of transport, access to shops, availability of take-away outlets, lack of storage and equipment. The Bags of Taste home cooking course tackles all these barriers, and they make a positive impact in all areas. This leads to dramatic changes to people's diets and lasting improvements for good. Data shows that in Sunderland, 22.1% of children aged 4-5 are classified as overweight or obese. It is also one of 20 local authorities with the highest increases in child poverty from 2014/15 to 2019/20 (27.4% to 37.6%). The current cost of living and energy crisis is affecting more people each week. There has never been a greater need for this work

Steps to get it done:

• Purchasing ingredients and packaging
• Recruiting volunteers
• Promotion of Bags of Taste citywide
• Deliver 4 mentored cooking courses to 120 people citywide
• Getting a sessional worker in place

How they help • They provide all the ingredients and equipment for free. • All recipes are low energy and mainly cooked on the hob and do not require lots of equipment. They make the process easy • They provide essential equipment like knife sharpeners and measuring spoons for free • All recipes cost less than a £1 a portion What they do - The course is delivered in three stages, providing step by step guidance which builds and sustains confidence - Carefully packaged ingredients and user-friendly recipes make everything easy and accessible - Experienced mentors encourage and motivate and staff provide long term support - On-line support groups maintain engagement and commitment by providing accountability and healthy competition. People with mental health issues may be unwilling to leave the house or engage with large groups. The course is done at home and is flexible and accessible. At home, children get involved in the preparation so they are involved in eating and trying new foods