Staff from businesses across the borough joined Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, at a local food distribution charity to take part in Knowsley Chamber of Commerce’s Working Well Healthy Lunches event and learn more about food waste and how to cook healthy meals.
Fighting food waste and healthy meals
The event was part of Knowsley Chamber’s Working Well Programme and took place at FareShare Merseyside based in Kirkby.
FareShare is the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger by tacking food waste and redistributes surplus food to over 219 charities and community groups working with vulnerable people across Merseyside and the Wirral.
The charity also provides work experience and training support for people who are unemployed or looking to get back into the world of work.
Attendees to the event took part in a tour of the facility and learnt about the impact of food waste and how the charity tackles the issue, before taking part in cookery lesson using food that the charity has collected.
Working in small groups, attendees cooked a warming vegetable soup and a small, sweet treat to enjoy.
The aim was to help attendees understand the impact of food waste and how we can we make healthy homecooked meals using fresh vegetables and basic ingredients found in cupboards at home.
The Working Well Programme
Knowsley Chamber’s Working Well is funded by Knowsley Council’s Public Heath offers free support to businesses to improve staff wellbeing, reduce sickness absence and meet health and safety requirements.
The programme provides employers with direct access to Business Engagement Managers, health and wellbeing resources, and training opportunities. Staff can also become Health & Wellbeing Champions, receiving free training and materials to support colleagues and promote a health and positive workplace culture.
Small and medium businesses can apply for grants of up to £1,000 to introduce health and wellbeing initiatives—such as physical activity projects, mental health support and workplace wellbeing activities—developed in collaboration with employees.
Getting involved
The Working Well Programme is open to all Knowsley businesses; there is no requirement to be a member of Knowsley Chamber. Find out more: https://www.knowsleychamber.org.uk/working-well.
To find out more about FareShare visit www. fareshare.org.uk