The Cooking out of the Box program uses a monthly Good Food Box of fruits and vegetables as the foundation of a nutritious cooking session for low income individuals.
The program is free to participants and encourages the use of fresh fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet. At each 2 hour session, 3 to 4 recipes are prepared using the contents of the Good Food Box, which varies from month to month. The Community Kitchens facilitator chooses the recipes, purchases a Good Food Box for each location and the extra food needed to prepare the recipes. The sessions end with a shared meal, group discussion and clean up. Participants receive copies of the recipes and extra food is divided among the clients to take home,
Thanks to funding from Firstwest Foundation, we offer the program at three locations:
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Foodshare Center, 271 Pine Street
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Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society, 153 Wallace Street (Women's Center participants are welcome to attend)
- Tillicum Lelum, 602 Haliburton
The Tillicum Lelum location is in conjunction with the Building Better Babies program. Parents prepare a meal to take home. "My spirit feel happier" said a mom who cooked with other young moms and became more connected to her community. "This is like Christmas once a month". Said by a senior who takes home extra produce and food.
Sessions are free but limited in space. Please phone Heidi at 250-753-7470 for more information, or email: nanaimocommunitykitchens@gmail.com