Cooking up a storm for families in Inverness
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Inverness-based good cause Food for Families has swung into action for its 12th winter – and is closing in on a milestone of 30,000 hot meals provided to those most in need in the community.
Inverness businessman David Sutherland, who founded the voluntary body with his wife Anne, said: “Sadly, the demand for our services has grown since the pandemic – and this winter even more people need help because of energy costs and rising prices.
“Distributing a warming meal in winter is both a challenge and a privilege, with schools, social workers and community centres identifying those who need our help.”
Local restaurant owner Catriona Cameron, of the Mustard Seed, is again joining Mr Sutherland in providing copious amounts of mince, potatoes and vegetables for the volunteer chefs to cook and insert into plastic packaging ready to be delivered to the disadvantaged.
Mr Sutherland was at Culduthel Christian Centre where recruits from the local Vineyard Church were ‘cooking up a storm’.
Ashley Cameron, leader of the church’s social transformation team, said: “We’re more than willing to help Food for Families, which has such an excellent track record.
“These are very challenging times for many people, particularly those worried about heating costs, and a hot meal is so welcome to relieve the pressure on families.
“Mr Sutherland and Mrs Cameron have shown great generosity over the years in funding and supporting this project so we’re pleased to play our part.”
Professional cookery students at UHI Inverness are also supporting the initiative.
The SVQ professional cookery level 4 class and their lecturer Matthew Urquhart are supporting Gateway’s Food for Families project by cooking 100 meals a week for five weeks in December and January.
It is the sixth year in a row that UHI Inverness has been involved in the project.
Gateway works to provide families in need throughout the Highlands with food and essentials over the festive period.
The meals are picked up by the charity, frozen and then distributed through local schools and social work teams in Inverness and Ross-shire. A total of 3000 meals are expected to be supplied over the festive period.
Professor Chris O’Neil, principal and chief executive of UHI Inverness, said: “Coming out of a pandemic into a cost-of-living crisis has had a damaging impact on our local communities and we are aware that more families are in need than ever.
“Supporting the area we serve is an important focus for us at UHI Inverness, and our students are pleased to get behind such a worthwhile cause, which is also an important educational experience for them. This is an example of the kindness and generosity of our students.”
Mr Urquhart said: “It is important for the students to be involved so they can see what it’s like to work in the commercial mass production of meals and it is also good for them to give back to the community and help local families as part of their studies.
“This is the first time this particular group has been involved in cooking for Food for Families and they are very enthusiastic, as they are fully aware of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. They understand how the charity supports the community and they are more than happy to get involved.”
Alex Gilchrist, project manager for Food for Families and general manager for Gateway, said: “We’ve never taken a penny from the public purse – but we’d welcome donations of food, particularly tinned goods, to enable our team of volunteers to cook and pack as many nutritious meals as possible.
“We are truly grateful for all the help given.”
