Good Food in Tackling Homelessness
Good health and well being are essential steps in the path away from homelessness. Our Good Food in Tackling Homelessness programme includes four distinct food and health services - each offering a refreshing approach to tackle ill health and poor nutrition.
What does the Good Food Programme do?
FareShare
Each week over 15,000 fresh nutritious meals are provided to people experiencing homelessness, thanks to contributions from Edinburgh Cyrenians FareShare project. FareShare collects surplus fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products from supermarkets and retailers which would otherwise end up in landfill. Over 7 tonnes of this fresh food is delivered each week to over 40 homelessness projects. Donors include Marks & Spencer, Greggs, Pret a Manger, Simply Organic and Albert Bartlett & Son.
Cooking at Home classes
To improve and maintain good health, people need to be able to cook and enjoy good food in their own homes. Edinburgh Cyrenians Cooking at Home classes inspire people moving into their own tenancy to eat well on a budget, and to enjoy the social benefits good food can bring - eating, talking and enjoying good company together with friends and family.
Volunteering with Support
The Good Food depot enables people to learn new skills and meet new friends. Over half the volunteer team have experienced homelessness - volunteering helps combat loneliness, gives a sense of purpose and structure to life, provides training and gives the skills and confidence needed to move into full time employment.
"I have been able to cut down on my drinking since I started volunteering at FareShare."
Improving Provision and Practice
We share our learning with other organisations working with people who are experiencing homelessness. In addition, our annual Food Conference provides the chance for organisations to find out how good food can be used creatively to support people overcoming homelessness. Our handbook is an invaluable resource for organisations seeking to improve awareness of healthy eating and teach basic cooking skills. Download our hand book here.
If you want to become a volunteer, receive food deliveries at your project, donate your surplus food or just want to know more about this work - contact us on 0131 554 3900 or email goodfood(AT)cyrenians.org.uk
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