Nov2011_Red Cross helps people cook their way to health on a $5 budget
Australian Red Cross launched You’re Looking at $5, a pocketsize recipe book for Queensland families on a tight budget, to mark Anti-Poverty Week from 17-23 October 2011.
The cookbook contains many favourites from last year, like Penne Pasta and Tomato Sauce and Heaven and Earth, plus a few new recipes to tempt the tastebuds, such as Cauliflower and Mushroom Pie.
The aim of the Anti-Poverty Chef Challenge is to give a little bit of culinary inspiration to people experiencing poverty by suggesting simple meals that can be created from even the smallest budget.
More and more of the people Red Cross works with, like young families, homeless young people and the elderly, struggle to put a meal on the table.
Red Cross spokesperson Anna Boyce said: “We know that to eat healthy food on a $5 budget is a real challenge and that people experiencing poverty face this challenge every day.
“The recipes try to find a balance between nutrition, practicality, ease of preparation and the different taste preferences of our clients, who come from very diverse backgrounds.”
Throughout the year Red Cross will collect more recipes from the public, volunteers and staff, with the aim of holding a competition to judge the best meals for next year’s edition.
Former Masterchef contestant and Brisbane writer Sharnee Rawson has been passing on her cooking skills as she helps out at nutrition workshops. In her introduction to the 2011 edition of You’re Looking at $5, Sharnee suggests some tips to make shopping for food more affordable.
“Food is a basic necessity and a considerable cost item for most households,” she says.
“Some ways to help with affordability are to buy in bulk and split the costs with family and friends. People can also try shopping at markets and co-ops and shop at the end of the day when there are often specials on meat and veggies."
