ECF 2021-2022 journey with Meals & More

“Edinburgh Community Food have gone over and above to  help these families feel  supported by adding in treats for parents and activities for the children” _ Helena

Background 

Meals and More kindly offered to financially support ECF to support  vulnerable families and their children across Edinburgh who are struggling to  access nourishing food during school holidays. Edinburgh Community Food  (ECF) has been a lead partner in the City of Edinburgh Council’s Discover! holiday hunger programme since its inception in 2017. Across each week of  the annual three months of school holidays ECF supplies a large box to  each of the 450 households referred to the Discover! programme.

These  weekly boxes contain: fresh produce to create meals for a family of four,  bread, milk, eggs, long life goods, equipment, the occasional ‘treat’, children’s books and printed content (for example: health/signposting  information, cash first information, bespoke recipes, children’s activities, partner content (e.g. from  Changeworks, Police Scotland, Samaritans, Love Food  Hate Waste). However, ECF have long been aware that  the referral process does not reach all. Some families in  need are slipping through the net and, for one reason or  another, are unable to engage with Discover!  

What we did  

ECF have worked with partners including Castleview  Primary school to identify vulnerable families not engaging  with Discover! We have then supplied weekly fresh food  boxes across all school holidays and also during the run-up  to summer. The boxes contained the same array of content  as our Discover! boxes. Across the year we supplied 508 boxes to families, representing 10,160 meals. 

Impact  

ECF’s boxes not only saved vulnerable families money, they  also encouraged increased cooking and healthy eating,  including children trying new foods. Knowing that home  food needs have been met alleviates stress for families. Our  boxes also promote family bonding, improve relationships  at home and benefit mental wellbeing. 

Outputs 

• 508 boxes for families 

• 10,160 meals for children 

• Provision of health  

promotion/signposting information,  recipes, activities and equipment

“The kids love it and I’m trying to  get cooking with them and it’s such  a relief to get this”

Outcomes 

• 97% of families have saved money • 90% report that children are trying new  flavours and ingredients 

• 85% are more aware of the importance of  eating healthily 

• 83% are more able to cook healthy meals • 76% are eating more fruit and vegetables • 79% feel more able to plan their meals 

Outwith Covid our parents’ groups meet face to face. A large part of attending a group is the  welcome, a cup of tea and some nice treats for parents to help them feel valued and  nurtured. As our groups are now online this is not possible. However, what we have been able to  do is work with Edinburgh Community Food who have provided healthy food boxes for each  parent. This has helped us to replicate our nurturing approach towards parents.

Edinburgh  Community Food have gone over and above to help these families feel supported by adding in  treats for parents and activities for the children. Working together with this project has been a real  asset and I am looking forward to continuing this work in the new school term. Helena Reid, Psychology of  Parenting Co-ordinator 08/2021