A new scheme encouraging students to cook nutritious, yet affordable, meals has been set up by university College Falmouth and the University of Exeter, which share the campus.
The project is being run by Eatsome, a healthy eating programme which is part of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.
The weekly cooking sessions cater for up to eight students.
They attend two sessions and are taken through the basics of kitchen hygiene and nutrition before learning how to cook low-cost, healthy meals from scratch.
All the recipes, such as mixed bean chilli and orchard fruit crumble, are made from affordable ingredients which are sold in the campus shop.
Students are provided with free recipe cards for each dish they cook.
Paul Robinson, director of support services for the campus, said:”Many of our students are living away form home for the first time and may not have even the most basic of cooking skills.
“We’ve already had 70 students register to take part in the scheme, so we hope they will all agree that it’s possible to eat healthy, tasty food on a tight budget.
“We’re committed to providing healthy food on campus and are pleased to be complementing this with this new scheme.”
First year law student Ravi Fernandes Pilaipakam Thatai has recently completed the course and it has already transformed his eating habits.
“Since taking the course, I have only had one ready meal,” he said.
“The course has inspired me to cook more as it allows more discretion over what I consume. “It was a great experience.
“I have learned new recipes, had fun and have since eaten more healthily for less money.”
Amy Bromfield, Eatsome community worker: added: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with the universities.
“The fantastic response from the students confirms that they are keen to learn new cooking skills, which they will continue to use in everyday life, both while at university and in their future lives.”
To complement the healthy eating, the campus is increasing the number of classes available in its sports centre.
It now offers up to seven different classes a day, ranging from yoga and pilates to street dance and spinning.
The West Briton Newspaper - Thursday February 26th 2009
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