Case Studies

Food First, Inverness

Many local families have improved their eating habits as a result of access to affordable produce, and taking part in the Food First workshops.

It’s not only Jamie Oliver who is keen to get the nation cooking. Food First – run by local group Partnerships for Wellbeing – is giving the people the skills to cook nutritious meals through weekly cookery demonstrations at the James Cameron Centre in Inverness.

Food First aims to increase the availability and affordability of healthy food for people living in Inverness, specifically residents in deprived communities. They recently appointed a project coordinator to deliver a programme of workshops, cooking events, and local food growing initiatives. One of the most successful initiatives has been the weekly Veg Out food stall which sells locally sourced, affordable fruit and vegetables.

Food First project coordinator, Mairi Gough, said: ‘The impact of the stall – and project as a whole – has been overwhelmingly positive. Many local families have improved their eating habits as a result of access to affordable produce, and taking part in the Food First workshops.’

LifeScan Scotland Ltd Fund

Food First was funded for three years by an award from the LifeScan Scotland Ltd Fund. LifeScan Scotland, part of Johnson & Johnson, has been based in Inverness since 1995. To reflect its work, LifeScan have been particularly interested in working with local groups and charities on projects which relate to health, education, the environment and science in the Inverness and surrounding area making Food First – found by the Scottish Community Foundation – a good match.