Demonstration Programme News!

East Belfast Mission's Going Green Christmas Fair

East Belfast Mission celebrated with a Going Green Christmas Fair on 3rd December 2011 in their Re:fresh community cafe. Their Healthy Food For All project gave away 100 bags of fresh vegetables to local families and pensioners. They also gave away recipes from safefood's, Have a Happy Healthy Christmas and provided free festive samples that are included in this booklet. There were a number of stalls including one from Belfast City Council on food waste and saving money and a vintage little black dress rail from their Vintage store. The PSNI gave information on community safety and the Fire Brigade entertained the local community, particularly the children, on their fire engine. There were also Christmas crafts, low-priced recycled gifts and nostalgia stalls, trees, wreaths, second hand bikes and much more! The event welcomed many members from the local community and related local agencies and organisations. The variety of stalls and large attendance was a reflection of the innovation that EBM encourages and their strong community involvement and spirit. For more information please contact Peter Tomlinson at peter.tomlinson@ebm.org.uk.

KASI 'Recipes from Home' Book Launch

Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative (KASI) launched their second cook book, Recipes from Home, on 1st December 2011 in their drop-in centre. The event was attended by volunteers, service users, staff and many members of local agencies and organisations. The book was officially launched by Cllr. Sean Counihan, Mayor of Killarney, who spoke about the many hard-working migrant people he has encountered and how everybody deserves a chance, just like all the Irish people who have travelled abroad over the years. Sheila Casey, KASI Chairperson, gave a speech on how sharing of food is central to KASI's regular social gatherings and that food brings people together, introduces new cultures and helps break down barriers. Marilyn Counihan, KASI Co-ordinator, spoke about the value of the diversity in our communities and that this richness and learning should go towards influencing meaningful migrant-related policy change in Ireland. This recipe book is part of the KASI Garden Project and volunteers, staff and visitors to the KASI centre contributed all the recipes. It is a wonderful resource with tasty recipes from all over the world and is on sale for €5 from KASI. For more information please contact Marilyn at marilyn@kasi2000.com.

Sustainability Workshop

The Demonstration Programme CFIs took part in a Sustainability Workshop on 25th November 2011 in the F2 Centre in Dublin. This event was a follow on from the networking event in September and was a direct reflection of the learning from that day. It was a chance to continue to take stock of how best to work toward enhanced sustainability during the coming year. It offered the CFIs opportunities to explore how we can learn from one another, as well as informing the priorities for programme level support. The CFIs gave presentations on their projects and offered solutions on making their CFI sustainable. We also discussed what capabilities they have that they are building on and what supports they need. It was a vibrant event which helped realise all the possibilities and progress made, while acknowledging the challenges faced by CFIs. For more information please contact Georgina at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

 

Footprints Women's Centre Planting of Wild Harvest Trees

The Transition Footprints project held a Wild Harvest Tree planting event in their garden on the grounds of Footprints Women's Centre on 23rd November 2011. The day was a celebration of the success of the project and the hard work done by their dedicated volunteers and staff. EAGA representatives officially opened the seating area they funded and the Woodland Trust were on hand to help plant the trees they donated with the volunteers and children from the creche. The day was a clear reflection of all the wonderful achievements made by the Transition Footprints project. For more information please contact Eileen Wilson at eileen@footprintswomenscentre.com or Georgina at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

Fare Futures Networking Conference Event, Scotland

The Development Worker delivered a workshop on the Demonstration Programme as part of the Community Food & Health Scotland Fare Futures annual networking conference on 3rd November, 2011 in Dunfermline. The session focused on key successes, challenges and impacts of the Programme and shared the approach taken, its policy and practical implications and benefits for the communities. The workshop was an opportunity for practitioners to come together and share learning, practice and skills with others tackling food related inequalities across Scotland. The session was interactive and encouraged full contribution from a wide range of participants. For more information please contact Georgina Buffini at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com. See also www.communityfoodandhealth.org.uk.

NICHE Healthy Food Event

The Food Focus Project (NICHE led) held their Healthy Food Event on 30th September, 2011. The outdoor Farmer’s Market was reduced in size due to the heavy rain all day! However, this did not dampen Knocknaheeny spirits and Corrigan's mini-farm was outside, Youthreach were selling their baked goods and there were stalls for free-range eggs and herb-boxes made by the Food Focus 'Growing Group'. The local band played from an open area overlooking the stalls.

Inside there was food tasting, a raffle, a cookery demonstration, health checks and nutritional information. People were also able to see the design plans for the local community garden and contribute to a food “Mapping” exercise – a great way to find out more about food in the area and what is needed to make it all the more healthy. Children from St Mary on the Hill and other schools showcased their growing projects and took part in the 'food art' activities, smoothie making (on a bike!) and face-painting.

The community cafe inside the Youth Centre provided homemade dinners and refreshments as usual. Many local people and community groups attended and were also encouraged to sign up for other food activities taking place in the area throughout the year. For more information please contact Elaine O’Mahony at elaine@nicheonline.ie or visit www.nicheonline.ie.

Sustainability Networking Event

We were delighted to celebrate our sixth networking event of the Demonstration Programme which took place on 21st September, 2011 in Footprints Women's Centre in Belfast. The event aimed to explore what sustainability means to the Programme CFIs and identify the current resources and capabilities within the projects that can be built on. It also aimed to identify how best the Demonstration Programme can provide support to the CFIs over the coming months to help achieve sustainability. The morning and afternoon sessions were facilitated by the Programme evaluators, Jason Donaghy and Nick Mack.

Local Councillor, Arder Carson, attended the event and congratulated Footprints on the wonderful work being done in their garden from a community development perspective. The volunteers showed us around their raised beds, fruit trees, tree house and seating area. They also have a raised bed for the children and a Critters Corner for the toddlers in their creche. Kathleen, one of the dedicated volunteers, spoke about what the garden means to her and how it offers a welcoming space in which she learns new skills and meet friends.

We also had a 'mini-market' area in which the seven Demonstration Programme CFIs shared their vegetables, plants, seeds, recipes and photos. If you would like more information please contact Eileen Wilson at eileen@footprintswomenscentre.com or Georgina Buffini at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

 

KASI Community Garden BBQ

Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative held a post-ramadan barbeque in their community garden on 10th September 2011. The day was a joyous celebration of all the development and the abundant growth in the garden over recent months and of all the hard work done by the volunteers. The food was delicious and salads were made from the harvest from the garden and polytunnel. Everyone joined in an invigorating drumming session which was facilitated by Drum Dance Ireland. The children enjoyed facepainting and a big bouncy castle. The event was attended by people from the local community, volunteers, staff and participants from the many programmes run by KASI. For more information on KASI Community Garden please contact Marily at marilyn@kasi2000.com or Georgina at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

 

Southill Community Garden Festival

Southill Area Centre held a Garden Festival in their community garden on 8th September 2011. The event attracted local people, volunteers, members of their various programmes and people from partner agencies. Limerick City Council held an interesting composting workshop which gave information on composting at home. Barbara, the gardener, demonstrated how to grow your own basil and gave out simple kits to take home. Liz Slattery from PAUL Partnership gave a cookery demonstration on how to make Baby Potato and Rainbow Chard Curry using vegetables from the garden. We all got to have a taste and it was delicious! On sale were herb pots and homemade jams and chutneys which were all made using produce grown in the garden. It was a really enjoyable day and demonstrated the many achievements in the garden to date. For more information please contact Liz Slattery at eslattery@paulpartnership.ie or Georgina at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

 

President McAleese Visits East Belfast Mission

East Belfast Mission was proud to welcome President Mary McAleese on 28th June 2011. The President visited the Skainos project, a regeneration and redevelopment of East Belfast Mission's facilities that will provide shared space for community transformation and renewal. She then visited their Re:fresh Cafe to meet staff, locals and representatives from both sides of the community. Rev. Gary Mason MBE gave a speech outlining his many years working with the President and his admiration of all she has achieved during her time in office. President McAleese gave an uplifting speech praising the courage of local people and highlighting her hope for a continued effort to find a common ground for peace and reconciliation. The President was warmly welcomed by the local community and spent time chatting with numerous people in the Re:fresh Cafe. Healthy Food for All and Martin Higgins, CEO of safefood, were delighted to attend the event and be part of the celebration.

 

St. Munchin's Family Resource Centre's Community Garden Festival

St. Munchin’s Family Resource Centre celebrated their community garden with a second festival on the 16th June 2011 outside the Centre in Ballynanty. The event attracted many local people and partner organisations who purchased and made their own hanging baskets, enjoyed the delicious healthy food and joined in the sing-song! Sheila Cahill, Green Party representative, spoke about the many benefits of the community garden and congratulated St. Munchin's staff and gardening programme participants on all the hard work. Michael Hourigan, the Deputy Mayor, also commended the community garden and recognised the many people who work hard to ensure its continued success. Liz Slattery from PAUL Partnership gave a wonderful seafood chowder cookery demonstration and taster session after which, despite some initial hesitation, the children were licking their lips! A big congratulations to Emma (gardner), Nicholas (Development Worker) and all staff and participants at St. Munchin's for making the garden and the day a big success. If you would like further information please contact Liz Slattery at eslattery@paulpartnership.ie or Georgina Buffini at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com. For some media coverage see here. Also visit St. Munchin's website here.

 

RehabCare Resource Centre Green Flag Launch

Rehabcare Dundalk celebrated the award of their An Taisce's Green Flag on 9th June in Coes Road resource centre. They were delighted to officially receive the award in Croke Park in March 2011. Rehabcare Dundalk has become the first RehabCare centre in Ireland to receive this award. The event was a big success and was well attended by participants and their families, staff and partner agencies. Speeches were given by Susan Doorley from An Taisce and Ollan Herr, a Green Party councillor. RehabCare Dundalk were commended for their hard work and commitment to greening their environment. They also gave an interview to Dundalk FM radio on the day. Well done to Anne Hynes, Stephen Caraher, Deirdre Quinn and all the participants who have made the environmental initiative the success it is.

The Green Flag environmental initiative combines the Food Garden Project with recycling programmes. The Food Garden Project is jointly run between Rehabcare and Dundalk Simon Community and includes both people with an intellectual disability and people that have experienced homelessness. A community garden with raised beds, a green house, shed and log cabin has been developed and participants grow, prepare and cook a range of healthy organic fruit and vegetables throughout the year. Surplus fruits and vegetables, as well as homemade chutneys and planters made by the gardening group, are sold at the local Dundalk Farmer's market. Participants are also encouraged and supported to grow produce in their own homes. The Food Garden has established a link and shares information with Dundalk IT who have their own Grow Your Own Food Society with raised beds. This environmental initiative project was also awarded the Environmental Excellence Award through the Louth Chamber of Commerce Business Award in October 2010. If you would like further information please contact Anne Hynes foodgarden.dundalk@rehabcare.ie at or Georgina Buffini at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

 

East Belfast Mission's Health Fair and Great Plant Giveaway

East Belfast Mission and the Going Green project held their second Health Fair and Great Plant Giveaway in their Re:fresh community cafe on Wednesday 26th May 2011. The event was a huge success attracting a large crowd of local people and community practitioners. There was a healthy eating demonstration table as well as representation from all their inter-linked services and partners. There was also health checks and advice and information on health and well-being. Staff at the Re:fresh Cafe strive to make their meals as healthy as possible and the delicious menu is designed in agreement with the clients. A big congratulations to all involved for making the event fun and informative. If you would like further information please contact Joyce Mason at joyce.mason@ebm.org.uk or Georgina Buffini at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

 

Networking Event on Volunteering

The fifth networking event of the Demonstration Programme of Community Food Initiatives (CFIs) was held in Bogside Brandywell Health Forum (BBHF), Derry on 18th May 2011. A big thank you to Volunteer Now NI who delivered a very informative interactive session enjoyed by all participants. The training provided an overview of the key principles of volunteer management best practice and an understanding of volunteer policy and recruitment. 

The group visited the recently re-developed garden on site. We also visited the garden BBHF link in with locally in the house in the Wells, a sheltered accommodation for men experiencing addiction problems. Well done to all on the amazing work and progress made in both sites. All seven CFIs gave an update on their projects and shared ideas and information. Everyone enjoyed the hospitality in Derry and a warm thank you goes to our colleagues at BBHF for making our visit and the event so memorable. The catering was excellent - many thanks to the staff at their wonderful community cafe! Many thanks also to all the Demonstration Programme CFIs for being so enthusiastic and involved in the event. Please contact mary@bbhealthforum.org or gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com if you would like further information.

Knocknaheeny Food Focus Project

Well done to Knocknaheeny Food Focus Project who are doing amazing work in their programmes and with their new community garden which is currently being developed. Click here to hear a wonderful piece on their development from the Pat Kenny show on 10th May 2011. A big congratulations to all involved. For more information please contact Elaine O'Mahony at elaine@nicheonline.ie or Georgina Buffini at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

 

Networking Event: From Practice to Policy — Co-creating the Way Forward

The fourth networking event of the Demonstration Programme took place on 26th January in Dublin and was titled From Practice to Policy: Co-creating the Way Forward. This event celebrated the first year of the Demonstration Programme and the amazing progress made by the CFIs. The event also explored the policy implications arising from the Programme with regard to tackling food poverty at a wider level. 

Our line up of speakers included Geraldine O'Riordan, Development Officer (Engagement), Community Food and Health (Scotland) who provided an external perspective relative to their policy and practice environment. Ian Shankland, Manager from Lanarkshire Community Food and Health Partnership (LCFHP) offered his practice perspective on the learning and challenges being experienced by the CFIs and how these relate to the bigger policy picture. Click here to see the presentation.

We would like to thank everybody for their valuable input and participation. We look forward to organising related events in the coming year to enable CFIs to more fully appreciate how their contribution fits into policy and practice thinking. For more information please contact Georgina Buffini at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com and click here.

 

KASI 10 Year Celebration

KASI celebrated its 10 year anniversary on Friday 26th November with a wonderful event in Killarney. The evening was attended by many of the staff and volunteers who have been involved with the project since the beginning. It was a real celebration and was a reflection of all that has been achieved by KASI in the last 10 years and of the lasting relationships that have been forged. We wish KASI all the best for the next 10 years ahead and congratulate them on all their hard work and progress to date. It is a pleasure working with and learning from them. For more information please contact marilyn@kasi2000.com or gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

 

Launch of Footprints Women's Centre (Belfast) Garden

Footprints Women's Centre officially launched their Transition Community Initiative ‘Digging for Colin’ on 27th October. It was a celebratory event that welcomed participants from the local community and key stakeholders. The women who volunteer on the gardening programme commented that this was a new beginning for them and that they were enjoying learning to grow vegetables and herbs for the first time in their lives! They are also busy transferring these new skills to their home environment. More development is planned for the garden with herbs and an orchard being planted in Spring 2011. A big congratulations for all the hard work done by Eileen and the staff at Footprints, Lori the gardener and, most importantly, to the volunteers of the gardening programme. For more information please contact eileen@footprintswomenscentre.com or gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

 

Networking Event on Media & Communications for Demonstration Programme CFIs

The third networking event of the three-year Demonstration Programme of Community Food Initiatives (CFIs) was held in Southill Area Centre and St. Munchin’s Resource Centre, Limerick on 29th September, 2010. The event focussed on Media & Communications training and was dedicated to Media Interviewing specifically. We visited the wonderful gardens at Southill and St. Munchin's and the progress to date is a credit to both organisations and their programme participants. There was lots of sharing of valuable ideas and information. Congratulations to all involved and many thanks to Southill and St. Munchin's for hosting the event. Please contact eslattery@paulpartnership.ie or gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com if you would like further information.

 

Healthy Food Day at Food Focus Knocknaheeny Community Food Initiative (NICHE Lead)

The Food Focus project in Knocknaheeny, Cork had it's first Healthy Food Day on 22nd September. It was a wonderful event and drew in many local people to sample healthy food, sign up for their programmes and see the fantastic achievements of the initiative to date. Well done to Elaine and all who worked so hard to make the event the success it was! Please contact elaine@nicheonline.ie if you would like further information.

 

 

East Belfast Mission Grand Opening of their Re:Fresh Community Café

East Belfast Mission held the grand opening of their Re:Fresh Community Café on 3rd September, courtest of Naomi Long. The opening was attended by many of their regular customers and by the people who were involved in the relocation of the café. It was a very celebratory event - the food is dee-licious by the way!

 

The temporary relocation is adjacent to their old premises and facilitates a major redevelopment of their original site. The new site will be an inner-city village and they look forward to the redevelopment representing a new start, with no prior history. In the interim EBM fully intend to provide the same services and will continue to focus on healthy eating and nutrition while offering wholesome meals at a very reasonable price. Café Re:Fresh caters for the public, private and homeless clients from their hostel and is a point of social contact for most of the service users.

For more information on the East Belfast Mission Healthy Eating Education Programme please contact Peter Tomlinson at peter.tomlinson@ebmwarehouse.co.uk.

 

St. Munchin’s Community Garden Limerick

St. Munchin’s Family Resource Centre held their Garden Festival in the community on the 15th June outside the Centre on Clonconnane Road, Ballynanty. The purpose of the event was to celebrate the achievements of the community garden project so far and to share some the produce from the garden with the community. It was also intended to raise the profile of the community garden project and inspire people from the community to start growing projects in their own gardens.

There was a barbeque and delicious food, seedlings were given out, window boxes made by the participants in the gardening classes were on sale and there were cookery demonstrations using produce from the garden. It was an excellent day – the atmosphere was wonderful and attendance by the local community exceeded all expectations! Well done to all involved.

 

This project and event was funded by St. Munchin’s Family Resource Centre, PAUL Partnership and safefood.

 

Demonstration Programme Networking Event

The second of our three yearly Demonstration Programme networking events was held in Simon Community Seatown House Day Centre, Dundalk on 26th May.

The event focused on developing common approaches to self-evaluation and aimed to ensure that evaluation findings are brought together to enable shared learning and a better overall evidence base for influencing policy.

Everyone involved would like to say a big thank you to RehabCare and Simon Community Seatown who hosted the event. The venue was wonderful and their Food Garden project is inspiring! For more information on the Food Garden Dundalk please contact: deirdre.quinn@rehabcare.ie. Also contact gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com.

Food Garden Finds Fame!

The Food Garden Project in Dundalk featured on Nationwide on 13th August, 2010. To view please click this link.

Limerick Seed to Plate Project

The Limerick Seed to Plate Project was interviewed by Morning Ireland at the St. Munchin's garden in April 2010. To hear the interview please click here.

HFfA would welcome hearing from your project! Please contact us with details or for more information on the Demonstration Programme please contact Georgina Buffini at gbuffini@healthyfoodforall.com or +353 86 152 6569.