Affordable Family Food: Nutritious meals on a budget

Discover the joy of family cooking without the stress of high grocery bills. Our new cookbook features dietician-approved, budget-friendly recipes specifically designed to support brain health and gut health while maximising flavour and fun in the kitchen.

 Watch a live cooking demonstration, pick up free recipe resources, and explore how healthy eating can support mental wellbeing.

Our stall celebrates nourishing, affordable home cooking for busy families. Our cookbook features quick, nutrient-rich dinner recipes – some ready in only 20-30 minutes – using everyday ingredients and cupboard staples. Learn clever ways to reinvent leftovers, involve children in the kitchen, and discover fun nutrition facts that make wholesome meals approachable, enjoyable, and budget-friendly for everyone.

Visitors will be able to browse and pick up cookbook copies and collect recipe cards featuring tasty, dietician-approved meals co-created with local families and communities.

 The stall will include a cooking demonstration of one of the recipes, showing practical ways to turn cupboard staples into a delicious meal. A range of interactive activities will encourage visitors of all ages to take part. These will link food, cooking, mental wellbeing and football in a fun and inclusive way, with opportunities for children and adults to learn together, take part in challenges and win prizes. The Stevenage Football Club mascot – Boro Bear – will also join our stall.

Researchers and community partners will discuss the links between food, nutrition and brain health, as well as the value of cooking and eating together. Our goal is to empower you with fun, budget-friendly recipes designed to support your family’s well-being and make nourishing meals achievable for everyone.

Emilia Tylenda, Keelan Fletcher (Stevenage FC Foundation), Hannah Marsh (Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust), Charlotte Catignani (Young People’s Mental Health Foundation), Nasim Panjwani.

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Families, community organisations, educators and anyone interested in affordable, high-quality nutrition

This cooking session is scheduled from 1pm-2pm as part of the wider Food in Hard Times event (running from 10am-4pm)