A program to cultivate and cook local fresh meals through the Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society just got a $12,000 boost through an Island Health grant.
Heidi Sinclair, the society's executive director, said cultivate and cook is based on the success of their cooking out of the box program, which provides support for low-income individuals by increasing access to nutritious fresh food.
"What's different about this program from some of our other programs is that participants are invited to grow food together…" Sinclair said. "We are one of several organizations who go [to Park Avenue Farm] regularly to grow food and we have our own few rows. So participants from this program, as well as other programs, come and we have a work party where we grow the food."
In cultivate and cook, participants then cook a fresh meal using the produce collected.
"Some of our participants live in apartments, or where they don't really have the opportunity to access growing space, so for some of them it's really important to have an opportunity for a place to grow food, and able to participate."
Sinclair said the grant money will be spent on gardening tools, cooking equipment, additional ingredients and facilitator costs, as well as for other cooking programs in schools and workshops including canning and fermentation.
"[There's] the community building part of it, people aren't doing it alone, they're doing it with friends, making friends, so there's a network of support for people," she said. "Often we refer people to other organizations if they're struggling with housing or mental health issues."
Other projects ran by the society include monthly workshops through a community cooking program and bellies to babies cooking for pregnant individuals, first-time parents and young families.
Janet McGee, an attendee during one of the society's cooking sessions, said the program has given her an opportunity to learn to cook foods she's never tried before.
"It really helps the grocery bills and I enjoy it. It's so much nicer to prepare with a group than just alone."
Another attendee, Kelly Jourdain, said he enjoys the society's programming because of the social aspect.
"This is one of the few things that actually gets me out and about and involved with people, I actually enjoy it," Jourdain said. "I'm a homebody, so it's a worthwhile program if it gets me interested."
People can volunteer for the society, or learn about programming by calling 250-753-7470 or sending an e-mail to ed@nanaimocommunitykitchens.org.
Recipe: Tzatziki chicken salad
Ingredients:
-1 medium cucumber, finely grated
-3/8 cup plain Greek yogurt
-1 tablespoon cropped fresh dill
-1 tablespoon lemon juice
-1 clove garlic, minced
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
-1 cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
-1/2 onion, diced
-1 cup shredded lettuce
-1 cup tomatoes, diced or sliced
Instructions:
1) Prepare the sauce by wrapping the grated cucumber in a paper towel or tea towel and squeeze gently to remove excess moisture. Next, stir the grated cucumber into a bowl with Greek yogurt, dill, lemon juice, salt, garlic and pepper.
2) Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it to the sauce, along with diced onions. It should be tossed until evenly coated.
3) Evenly distribute the shredded lettuce and tomatoes throughout the salad.
4) Serve on a pita bread, or crackers, with pita chips, or over a bed of extra lettuce. Any leftovers can be refrigerated.
