Words by Cheyanne Bryan
In a heartwarming initiative to address food waste and hunger, a group of determined Plymouth teenagers has launched free cooking classes using surplus food. Partnering with the Co-op and Barnardo’s, these teens have taken on the challenge to make a positive impact in their community.
Through a groundbreaking £5 million partnership, aimed at supporting the bright futures of 750,000 young individuals across the UK, the project has come to life. Take Away Tuesdays, the brainchild of these aspiring change-makers, offers free cooking classes to 10 to 25-year-olds at drop-in sessions throughout Plymouth.
Scarlet, a 15-year-old young carer, is part of the pioneering group behind Plymouth Change Makers, expressed: "A lot of young people are concerned about food insecurity. We designed this service after consulting over a hundred peers, many of whom highlighted struggles due to the current cost-of-living crisis."
Lilli, another 15-year-old involved in the project, emphasised the stigma surrounding food insecurity, stressing the need for empathy and support. "There’s a lot of stigma around being unable to afford food, even when it’s not one's fault. People face bullying for seeking assistance from food banks, which is unfortunate but prevalent."
Data reveals that one-third of children in Plymouth live below the poverty line, with a threefold increase in food bank users last year. Take Away Tuesdays empowers young individuals to cook nutritious meals using surplus food, providing them with a practical solution to take home to their families.
As these teens continue their impactful journey, their dedication serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring positive change in the fight against food waste and hunger within their community.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Food Cycle. This charity aims to reduce food waste and poverty whilst working with local communities and jointly combating loneliness. Learn more here.
The Trussell Trust. This is an NGO and charity aiming to end hunger and poverty by providing food to people experiencing emergency or crisis. Find out more here.
FareShare. The UK's largest charity fighting hunger and food waste, they save good food from going to waste and redistribute it to frontline charities. Find out more.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Zero Hunger, Partnerships For The Goals.
