JAMIE’S Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen is set to visit Cleveland for the first time.
The kitchen will be in the Redlands from October 10 for 10 weeks, at Stockland Cleveland South Mall.
Local residents can take part in the program which is built on the TV chef’s beliefs about cooking and the associated impact on healthy living.
The Ministry of Food is aimed at solving problems associated with diet-related disease.
It aims to get people back to basics in the kitchen, equipping people with simple skills and knowledge.
It comes as a report is released that has found if Australians ate just 10 per cent more vegetables per day, all levels of government could reap $100 million per year combined in health savings.
Commissioned by Horticulture Innovation Australia and delivered by Deloitte Access Economics, the report also revealed that more than 90 per cent of Australians failed to eat the recommended intake of vegetables per day.
The average Australian is eating just 2.3 serves of vegetables per day, far short of the recommended five serves or 375 grams.
Hort Innovation chief executive John Lloyd said research showed the nation could benefit significantly if the current intake of 174 grams was boosted to just 190 grams.
“If Australians ate just a handful more of broccoli or two extra carrots per week they would reduce their risk of some cancers and cardiovascular disease,” he said.
“In economic terms, based on detailed modelling, all levels of government would also stand to benefit through an estimated $100 million in health expenditure savings per year combined.
“On top of this, a 10 per cent increase in national vegetable consumption would further support vegetable growers nationally with an estimated $23 million per year in additional profit.”
Jamie’s Ministry of Food Australia is delivered by The Good Foundation which is supported by Queensland Health.
Health Department figures show that 56.4 per cent of Redland people over 18 are overweight and obese and 98.7 per cent of men and 88.9 per cent of women have insufficient daily vegetable intake.
QH executive director of preventive health Kaye Pulsford said the mobile kitchen program was giving local residents an opportunity to learn basic food and cooking skills.
“The cooking classes show residents how easy and cheap it can be to create simple and nutritious meals from scratch,’’ she said.
A study of the Oliver program by Deakin University and University of Melbourne showed that those who took part in the complete cooking course ate more vegetables, were more confident in cooking meals from scratch and spent less on take away foods.
Ninety minute classes cost $20 per session, $15 for student card holders and $10 for concession.
Where is the Mobile Kitchen? Stockland Cleveland South Mall, Middle Street, Cleveland, (Woolworths carpark)
When do classes begin? Monday October 10
How long is the course? One 90 minute class per week for five weeks
How much does it cost? Classes cost $20 per session, $15 for student card holders and $10 for concession.
When do bookings open? Bookings are open from August 15 via www.jamiesministryoffood.com
Who do I contact to become a volunteer? E-mail volunteer@thegoodfoundation.com.au
