Love Food Hate Waste are currently offering community groups and businesses within the Belfast City area FREE workshops and train the trainer sessions as part of their innovative “10 Cities” campaign.

Love Food Hate Waste’s 10 Cities campaign is a nationwide drive to raise awareness of the need to reduce food waste and helping local residents take action in 10 major Cities right across the UK and Northern Ireland

As part of the one year Belfast City campaign Love Food Hate Waste are delivering informative, fun and interactive sessions right across the city with the aim of helping residents save more within the own home and workplace; so whether you are keen to get staff thinking about food waste, are striving towards an environmental accreditation, or are simply interested in saving money and making the most of food in your own home then get in contact with your local representative to you book your place.

These sessions have been run for a wide range of community groups and businesses and have received fantastic feedback from attendees:

Sue, Belfast:
“This was a great review – fascinating facts, jaw dropping statistics, and loads of practical suggestions to address the problem. I learned loads, despite thinking i had a basic understanding beforehand.”

Catherine, Belfast:
“I thought the training session you ran … was ‘ a little gem of information’! I couldn’t really believe how unknowledgeable I was when it came to food matters and I’m the mum!!”

If you are interested in finding out more or would like to book your free then get in touch with local representative, Danielle McCormick on email:Danielle.mccormick@wrap.org.uk or call 07715066462.

The Lottery funded Big Lunch campaign is calling on people across Northern Ireland to turn off the TV and laptops and sit down with friends and neighbours on Sunday 7 June to enjoy good local food, and a bit of fun in a UK wide act of community spirit.

Jane Mc Clenaghan Nutritionist says “I’m delighted to be the ambassador for The Big Lunch, the sharing of food with others is central to good health and this simple initiative is bringing neighbours together and creating lasting friendships. This year I’m encouraging everyone to eat healthy and local, so if you would like help with recipes and ideas for your street party or community get together, you could win one of four cookery workshops with me, simply order your free Big Lunch pack www.thebiglunch.com and let us know why you should win.”

To find out how you can support this initiative contact grainne.mccloskey@thebiglunch.com

Preparations are well under way for the Easter Comber Farmers’ Market on Thursday 2 April 2015 in St Mary’s Parish Church from 9.00am to 1.30pm.  As part of the programme there will be an Easter Bonnet Competition for adults and an Easter Treasure Hunt for children.

Adults are invited to wear a hat decorated with an Easter theme  to the market.  Ideas to consider include a straw hat decorated with flowers, leaves, ribbons, net, fluffy chicks, Easter eggs or feathers.  Those taking part in the competition should arrive at the market between 11.00am and 11.45am when the judging will take place.  The winners of the most creative, stunning and flamboyant bonnets will be announced at 12 noon.  First prize will be a hamper made up with products from the market;  2^nd prize is dinner for two with a bottle of wine kindly donated by Sugarcane Bistro; and 3^rd prize is afternoon tea for two kindly donated by the Peppercorn Cafe in Comber.

Children who take part in the Easter Treasure Hunt will search the market for clues and each child who completes the activity with correct answers will be given an  Easter Egg which has been sponsored by Supervalu in Comber.

Councillor Deborah Girvan who helps to run the market said, “As Easter is early this year and coincides with the monthly market, we decided to include an activity for grandparents, parents and children.  We hope that everyone will join in our fun programme and support the 22 traders who will be attending the market and selling fresh local food products.  There will be special Easter promotions available at the market including breads,  cakes, jams, tarts,  chutneys, chocolate, fruit, vegetables, vinegars, oils, cheese, olives, plants, meat and fish.  We would like to thank all our sponsors for their generous donations which will help to make the 9^th Comber Market the best one yet!”

Photographed: Ann Fitzsimons, Ann Stevenson, Sally McGreevy and Gillian Downings