SLOW cookers have been included in foodbank donations this year, as a Tunbridge Wells organisation begins giving out the appliances to help those struggling with inflation.
Nourish Community Foodbank is providing 100 slow cookers in a pilot project to offer an energy-efficient way to prepare hot, nutritious meals with low-cost and readily available ingredients.
Nourish is funding the purchases itself, out of income from grants, trusts and donated funds, confirmed Operations Director Dawn Stanford.
“We have seen an increase in referrals stating ‘no root veg’ or ‘limited use of oven’ due to the cost of energy,” she told the Times.
“And we looked at the comparison cost of using a slow cooker and the benefits of using cheaper cuts of meat, beans and pulses to bulk out meals.”
The one-off donation of a slow cooker boosts people’s ability to manage, stressed the charity – whose parcels represent an emergency three-day supply of food and other items when a household is in crisis.
“This enables individuals and families to eat and manage better within a tight budget and reduce their dependence on food parcels,” said Nourish.
Outlining the initiative, Dawn explained: “We provide a slow cooker, a cookbook with budget slow-cooker recipes and a pack of slow cooker essentials that the recipes ask for, like stock pots and cornflour.
“These, alongside our food parcels, give those struggling to cook a welcome resource to last long after the referral.”
One recipient, ‘Jane’, told Nourish: “Thank you so much for the slow cooker.
“We have wanted one for ages but just couldn’t afford one, or the stock and cupboard bits to get us started.
“It has been used every day and I’ve found so many discounted foods to go in there. It’s my new favourite thing to do.”
Although early indications show the pilot project has been a success, the charity’s priority remains food donations.
Food and other supplies can be dropped off at points all over town, while those keen to fund parcels can contact: office@nourishcommunityfoodbank.org.uk
