Cook and Share Month is our FFL Get Togethers campaign, running each autumn starting on World Food Day on 16th October - 18th November.

We have been blown away by the variety of events happening up and down the UK as part of Cook and Share this month. Before we get into some of the detail lets first have a look back at just some of the highlights. 

There were over 300, events from the very tip of the Highlands to Derry in Northern Ireland and from Okehampton in Devon to Bangor in Wales. 

It is wonderful to see that the Cook and Share Month concept can be adapted to suit what works in your community. This year saw a Cook and Share birthday party, a parent and toddler session, a Halloween spooktacular event. Many of you harnessed Cook and Share Month to reach out into your community and support people as they navigate the cost-of-living crisis. 

Lindsay from Community Supporters based in Bexhill said:

“Food is a great way of getting people together and Cook and Share month gave us a great way to get to know more of our community. It says what it is so perfectly too!”

She continued: “I realised that there wasn’t an interactive food session for under-fives in my area and I know how vital those early experiences, tastes and knowledge of good food is.” 

Many Cook and Share events have used opportunity to host special themed sessions for groups that already happen regularly.

Susie, a volunteer at the Hornbeam’s People’s Kitchen in Waltham Forest said:

“The people who come to the People’s Kitchen do so for a number of reasons, some use it as a place to meet people and get out of the house but for others it can be a form of therapy and there is a real desire to feel useful and contribute.”

She continued: “Many people who are either retired and living alone or struggling with mental health issues want a sense of purpose and whilst they may appreciate the meal at the end of the session their reason for coming is often the feeling of community and being valued. By coming together for a Cook and Share event we have taken a moment to be grateful for the Hornbeam and the People’s Kitchen.” 

Cook and Share Month on ITV news

We received some powerful coverage on ITV this Cook and Share Month, in a piece highlighting how rising costs are impacting our communities.

Mark McFadden reported on the importance of sharing good food in the community as it becomes increasingly expensive to put healthy meals on the table. He visited Jane Bradley in Derry, who is running fantastic Cook and Share sessions that teach healthy eating on a budget.

We were delighted to drive this message home - you can read more here.

Share your stories with us

It's not too late to tell us what you got up to in your local area – why not post on our Facebook Group here?

As well as 310 Cook and Share events in 2022, we are thrilled that our resources were hugely popular with over 29,000 downloads! They are free and available here. The most popular resource was our Bean and Lentil Chilli recipe.

Keep an eye on our social media and Facebook Group as we are planning to share more amazing stories there over the next few weeks.