Eat healthily and save money: fortnight of events in Oswestry

A fortnight of fun events in east Oswestry will provide food for thought on healthy eating and how to waste less. 

A range of venues is working in partnership with Shropshire Council’s Sure Start children’s centre services, and waste management, teams to run cooking and information events to raise awareness about the national Change4Life and Love Food Hate Waste campaigns. The programme of events starts on Monday 20 February 2012 and continues until Friday 2 March 2012.  

The events include demonstrations on making healthy pancake fillings, and Ian Fuller from Shrewsbury-based Capers will demonstrate how to use left-over vegetables by cooking up a giant paella. 

Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for waste management and recycling, said:

“This is a great opportunity for the community in east Oswestry to sample some great cooking and get some handy tips and ideas on portion size, healthy food swaps, using up leftovers and advice to help waste less food.” 

Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, added:

“Around a third of all the food we buy ends up being thrown in the bin.  However, by making just a few small changes, people are able to reduce what goes in the bin and save money too. 

“This fortnight of events will see a range of organisations come together to host fun activities which demonstrate ways to help reduce waste and save money.” 

Residents, students and children’s centre members are being invited to take part through the various venues hosting activities which are: Monkmoor Court; The Meadows Primary School; Holy Trinity CE Primary School; Sure Start Children’s Centre, Holy Trinity Primary School; Walford and North Shropshire College, Oswestry campus; and Oswestry Leisure Centre. 

Love Food Hate Waste was launched in 2007 to help raise awareness of the issue of food waste and to offer easy, everyday actions that people can do to reduce the amount of food thrown away.  Shropshire Council has been a partner in the national campaign since it started.  For more information go to http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com 

Change4Life aims to help people eat well, move more and live longer.  For further details go to http://www.nhs.uk/change4life