Food for Life Get Together News

World Food Day

With 5 weeks to go until World Food Day, we’re already thinking about what we can do to prepare! Many of you will have already received your spinach and carrot seeds and we hope that they’re in the ground. If you haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time to plant baby spinach, but don’t delay. If you sign up now you will receive the free seeds.

In the meantime, check out our delicious spinach and carrot recipes from around the world. The Polish carrot salad is super easy to make – if you use organic carrots, they don’t even need peeling – and goes with everything! Download your recipes here

Perhaps you have a family favourite that you’re excited to share on World Food Day. Why not share it more widely with our online community using the hashtag #WorldFoodDayRecipes. Share your recipe now and inspire people from different backgrounds all over the country to get cooking.
Watch this space for even more World Food Day activities coming soon, including a World Food Day hamper filled with foodie games, sensory storytelling prompts and advice on how to include and involve people from different backgrounds or generations in your activity.

Here are some inspiring stories:

Scottish Africa United

Scottish Africa United (SAU), based in Glasgow, used their small grant to make up food parcels which benefitted around 30 people, giving them food for a week. People enjoyed the opportunity to connect and catch up with others on collection of the parcels and reported making healthy African meals for their families.

Since the pandemic, SAU have also increased their weekly gardening sessions to allow for social distancing while on the plot. Participants report enjoying time on the allotment and the opportunity to grow their own food. Everyone is looking forward to enjoying a harvest Get Together onsite when safe to do so!

Fishing and Football in Northern Ireland

Food for Life Get Togethers Northern Ireland (FFLGTNI) were delighted to support Ardglass Gaelic Athletic Football club to build connections between fishermen from Ghana with the community.
Our small grant supported Ardglass GAC to work with Israel Nogie, FFLGT network member, to provide West African food for a socially distanced Get Together. Participants enjoyed Jollof rice before trying out their Gaelic football skills. There is still a debate going on between them as to who makes better Jollof rice….Ghana or Nigeria!
The Get Together is part of a wider intervention by Ardglass GAC to support the inclusion of the Ghanaian fishermen within the community.

Learning opportunities

Virtual networking
The next Northern Ireland Virtual Networking Event ‘Connecting Through Good Food’, will take place on Tuesday 22nd September, 12-1.30pm. To register please email award@soilassociation.org

Webinar: Social media for your Get Together
24th September 1 – 2pm
This free webinar is for anyone who’d like to shape up their social media skills to attract the attention of their community and get more people involved in their growing, cooking and food sharing activities.
The focus will be on how to engage with World Food Day on social media, making the most of your platform to spread the word about what you’re doing.
Sign up here

Eden Project Community Camps
Our partners, Eden Project Communities, are running their first ever virtual Community Camp this October. Find out more about the practical and immersive activities on offer for community leaders and how to apply for a space on the camp here