Community Food Initiative

Community Food Initative

The Community Food Initiatives (CFI) 2019-2021 is funded by safefood, administered at a local level by SECAD Partnership and IRD Duhallow is one of 14 initiatives receiving funding; the aim of the CFI programme is to positively influence the eating habits of families with children in low-income communities. One in ten households in Ireland are experiencing food poverty. Food poverty is multifaceted issue encompassing economic, cultural and social inequalities leading to poor nutrition. Much of the cheapest, processed food on the market is high in saturated fats, sugars and salt and healthy food comes at a higher cost; therefore, it is one of the main contributing factors in people ’ s lack of ability to access a healthy diet. Other barriers include limited household budgets and the lack of local shops stocking a suitable range of healthy foods. Lack of information on healthy eating, low literacy levels and food skills also contribute to an insufficient and unhealthy diet. The community initiatives support the development of skills and knowledge around: Food and healthy eating, healthier shopping and cooking skills. According to a report published by safefood Ireland, on the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice ’ s ongoing Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) research, low income families need to spend about a third of their income to afford a basic healthy food basket and there are higher costs associated with rural households due to poor service provision in rural and deprived areas. The MESL Healthy Food Basket includes allocations for occasional‘ café, take-away, etc. ’ , and to provide for extra visitors. These allocations ensure that the social and cultural aspects of food are reflected, and that households can participate in activities that are considered to be part of everyday life. The social and cultural aspects of food are important for all types of households, however, it is vital for single individual household types. IRD Duhallow helps families make healthy food choices, learn about preparing fresh food and create healthy rituals around the consumption of food ultimately bringing families together to lead happier lives. Low income families often cut back on and sacrifice food when times are tough as it is controllable whereas mortgage/rent, childcare, education and

utilities are not. The continuous rising household costs means that more and more families are experiencing food poverty as they are forced to choose the low cost, processed and high calorie foods with little nutritional value. According to St Vincent De Paul 1 in 3 calls are now in relation to food poverty. Through our two Remote Cookery Programmes we supported and enabled families, with at least one child between the ages of 2 and 12, with healthy cooking skills using a variety of recipes from safefood 101 Square Meals and from the safefood website. IRD Duhallow shopped for and prepared the ingredients, printed recipe and delivered these to the families in the Duhallow region once a week for 4 weeks. We also provided families with a copy of safefood 101 Square Meals, portion plates, infographics, food pyramid and lunchbox leaflets. Orlaith Tomkins, Manager of Duhallow Community Food Services, prepared step by step safefood Ireland Minimum Essential videos for the families to follow with Tadhg Curtin, RSS Participant, Standard of Living (MESL) healthy food recording and editing these. Weekly check-ins and basket costs. phone/email/Whatsapp support was provided to families. Families cooked 3 recipes a week for the 4 weeks. IRD Duhallow engaged the services of Nutritionist Laura O Reilly to facilitate a Webinar on How Food Affects Children ’ s Mood. Participants learned about the relationship between food, mood and energy, the foods which negatively affect children ’ s mood and healthier alternatives to common treats and snacks. The Creedon family participating in one of the IRD Duhallow Remote Cookery Programmes. Our Community Event, which was open to all, focused on healthy lifestyle changes and healthy eating. Information was available for the public in regards to reading and understanding food labels, healthy shopping tips and healthier meals and lunchbox ideas, there were also handouts available for participants to retain for their own records. The Marie Keating foundation were also there on the day providing facts about cancer types, risk factors, signs and symptoms as well as advice on how to reduce your risk of developing different types of cancer.

Sheila Lane preparing vegetables for the cooking demonstrations as part of the IRD Duhallow Remote Cookery Programme. Brighid Ide Walsh and Orlaith Tomkins discussing menus as part of the Summer Sizzler programme.

Equality For Women & Childcare

Founding member of the Duhallow ’ s Women Forum and IRD Duhallow Board member Judy

O’Leary in conversation with Nollaig Murphy and Stephanie Moynihan of IRD Duhallow in relation to current project updates. Within the period 2020 – 2021, the Women and Childcare Working Group continued their efforts to identify issues and progress positive developments on behalf of the women of Duhallow. The COVID-19 crisis has been described as “ gender regressive ” from the point of view of women by some commentators. In March 2021 the Dublin based National Economic and Social Council highlighted that women were more affected by the need to provide extra care in the home due to the closure of childcare, along with widespread shutting of schools, and services for vulnerable adults and children. The same paper highlighted an increase in domestic violence as a negative impact of the pandemic. It is the experience of the Women and Childcare Working Group that women face a myriad of disadvantage on a regular basis. Issues reported include difficulties in accessing educational opportunities, flexible employment, childcare and rural transport, with some women experiencing a multitude of areas of disadvantage. These combined put women at a greater risk of poverty and social exclusion as well as resulting in having an impact on mental health. These issues have been further compounded over the last number of months by the COVID-19 pandemic with women reporting that they feel their opportunities have been curtailed by the additional pressures of dealing with the pandemic on a daily basis.

The Women and Childcare Working Group are cognisant that if disadvantaged women in particular are to achieve equality in the labour market it is essential to significantly address barriers to their progression and participation. A number of key initiatives have been put in place by the working group which have focused on supporting women ’ s aspirations in their career choices through focusing on crucial factors such as personal development, self-esteem and assertiveness.

Duhallow Women’s Forum

Duhallow Women ’ s Forum, established in 1997, represents a network of 17 women ’ s groups in Duhallow. It plays an important role in improving women ’ s quality of life in Duhallow including improving women ’ s access to education, training and personal development supports in preparation for accessing better quality employment, self –employment and improved social skills as well as supporting women ’ s advancement into decision making roles.

The forum also aims to identify, acknowledge and celebrate the role of women in Duhallow. The forum is committed to enhancing the capacity of locally based community groups to promote female participation.

The forum is affiliated to the National Women ’ s Council of Ireland, which is an umbrella organisation for women ’ s groups in Ireland. This allows the Forum to link in and work with the NWCI in determining its core priorities and be involved in decision-making levels at local, national and international level.

International Women’s Day:

Ms. Maura Walsh CEO IRD Duhallow marks International Women ’ s Day.

Ms. Anna Maria Bourke Board Member IRD Duhallow celebrates International Women ’ s Day. In March 2021 IRD Duhallow marked International Women ’ s Day and showed women everywhere its support by advocating that we can all choose to challenge, and call out gender bias and inequality. The achievements of women and how far they have come in their fight for their rights within the political, social and cultural spheres were celebrated throughout IRD Duhallow ’ s social media pages and print media in March. These features all highlighting that everyone can choose to seek out and celebrate women ’ s achievements and that we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change so let’ s all choose to change.

Self Defence Classes for Women:

The issue of women ’ s safety is of paramount importance to the Duhallow Women ’ s Forum. Violent incidents are well documented as having lasting and enduring implications for victims. The shocking psychological and health impacts of a physical attack can include fear, depression, sleeping disorders, anxiety, low self-esteem and post-traumatic stress disorder. All of these symptoms can take a heavy toll on a person ’ s capacity to function in the aftermath of an incident or series of incidents. Based on the premise that knowledge is empowering, in 2021 a series of self-defence classes were organised on line with a view to helping women who may not be aware of how to protect themselves in potentially unsafe situations. Aimed at developing confidence, the training had significant physical and mental health benefits for those who participated. Funded through the IRD Duhallow ’ s SICAP Programme the self-defence techniques delivered at this training are important life skills which will be of longterm value for all those who were in attendance.

Baby Led Weaning:

Given the pace of growth that occurs in early childhood the fundamental importance of good childhood nutrition cannot be overstated. It was with this in mind that the Women and Childcare Working Group initiated a baby led weaning seminar in 2021. Funded through the IRD Duhallow SICAP Programme this seminar was based on the premise that a variety of key nutrients are critical in early childhood. The workshop which was