OzHarvest Gold Coast have delivered the first of many NEST programs to those most vulnerable across South-East Queensland thanks to funding from Greater Charitable Foundation, as part of its recently-announced annual grants program.
Greater Charitable Foundation has committed $75,000 over the next two years to allow the rollout of 16 of OzHarvest’s NEST (Nutrition Education Sustenance Training) programs on the Gold Coast.
The first session under the new funding initiative was held on Tuesday, 5 February from 9am– 11am, for residents of Horizon Housing, a consolidated group of two charities that manages and develops community and affordable housing for those on low and moderate incomes.
As one of OzHarvest’s education programs, NEST aims to increase community connectedness and support people who are facing hardship. It involves a series of hands-on cooking and nutrition workshops carried out over five weeks, teaching people in need skills and knowledge to nurture themselves through healthier eating choices and food preparation.
OzHarvest Gold Coast NEST Coordinator, Sarah Carroll, is grateful for the new funding, which has secured the running of the program in 2019.
“The NEST program is a meaningful and practical approach to healthy eating and nutrition, cooking skills and adopting good habits,” said Ms Carroll.
“NEST is designed to help to break down barriers associated with cooking by improving life skills around buying and and preparing food at home, which ultimately leads to increased self-sufficiency, independence, better health and a positive lifestyle for the participants involved.”
Greater Charitable Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Anne Long, highlights the important role OzHarvest plays in the community and the benefits of the NEST program.
“OzHarvest provides valuable assistance through the provision of food to those in need, but what’s impressive to note is that they also do a lot of work focused on improving life outcomes for vulnerable members of the community through education and support programs,” Ms Long said.
“We are proud to fund the NEST program on the Gold Coast and we are excited to increase our impact, which has so far helped OzHarvest deliver 21 programs to 585 participants across the NSW Hunter region over the past two years.
“At Greater Charitable Foundation we are all about giving back to the community that supports us and we are grateful to be able to work with charities, like OzHarvest, to help make a difference.
NEST participants learn about the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, the importance of a balanced diet, how to plan meals and make shopping lists as well as cooking some delicious healthy recipes.
For more information on the program visit https://www.ozharvest.org/what-we-do/nest-nutrition-education/
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