Fun and free cooking classes are available now in Mangere for local people to learn simple home-cooking.

“The classes are open to everyone and you don’t need to know much about cooking to come and join in,” says Sarah, one of the Dietitians who runs the cooking classes.

“We can help you learn to make affordable food for your family and also use garden vegetables in creative ways. Our aim is to create tasty healthy meals for as little as $2 per person.”

“You can sample what we make, and take home recipes and ideas to try yourself.”

The cooking classes are held on the second Saturday of the month in Mangere. “We use everyday, basic ingredients from the garden or local supermarket to make quick easy meals that the whole family will love,” says Sarah.

Food on the menu includes homemade burgers and wedges, kumara chowder and pumpkin muffins. The next cooking sessions are scheduled for:

Saturday 13th June 9.30am

Saturday 11th july 9.30am

Saturday 8th August 9.30

Any interested group, family or individual can join in the classes.   For more information about joining one or all of the cooking classes please contact Sarah Buzink or Julie Ash on or email buzinks@middlemore.co.nz  or register on the website for updates http://www.mangerecommunitygarden.com/

Cooking classes are held at Kowhai Court, 12c Waddon Place, which backs on to the Mangere Food Forest Garden in Mangere town centre. It is between the doctor’s surgery and the church, down the road from the recreation centre, at the other end of the car park

The Mangere Food Forest is also open to the public. It has been set up to allow residents the opportunity to contribute and share their knowledge and to learn new techniques for growing fresh produce. It is envisaged that many more residents will go back to growing their own healthy kai just as our parents or grandparents had done.

The Food Forest is maintained by the community and everyone is welcome to pitch in and share ideas. Linda Lee a resident of Mangere and passionate worm farmer will host and run workshopsthroughout the year.

The Mangere Food Forest Garden has been set up by the Mangere Community Health Trust, in conjunction with the Counties Manukau District Health Board's "Lets Beat Diabetes" and General Mills to foster an interest in gardening, to encourage people to eat more fruit and vegetables and to increase the amount of exercise they get. It is hoped that the garden will bring people together in a sense of community. The garden is open to all citizens of Manukau City and is being run as an educational facility.  For all inquiries regarding ‘Gardening for Health’ workshops contact Pam on ph 2544174