Hungry for Change: Social Exclusion, Food Poverty and Homelessness in Dublin

This study investigates the impact of poverty and social exclusion on the food, diet and nutrition of people out-of-home in Dublin. The research involved a food frequency survey carried out with 75 people out of home, qualitative interviews with 12 individuals as well as a self-completion questionnaire administered to 18 food service providers in Dublin city. One of the main findings from the study was that the extent and experience of food poverty among homeless people was not only conditioned by income inadequacy and other socio-economic and cultural determinants, but particularly, by access to accommodation, as well as the quality of that accommodation. The report makes a number of practice and policy recommendations to tackle food poverty and homelessness. The qualitative approaches to food poverty employed for use with this sample of people out-of-home aimed to deal in depth with issues around food consumption. Through drawing a sub-sample from those who participated in the survey research (a process of recapture), the authors sought to expand on the survey questionnaire information on food issues. The themes for the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) emerged from the analysis of the survey questionnaires and 4 key thematic areas were selected. i) Access to cooking, preparation and storage facilities ii) Access, choice and constraints in food purchase and consumption iii) Access to information about healthy diet, food preparation and storage iv) Expectations, cultures, values and choice concerning eating The qualitative aspect of the research enquiry eventually generated one FGD and seven semi-structured interviews representing the views of a total of 12 persons all of whom had completed the initial survey questionnaire.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Eating disorders, overeating and pathological attatchment to food: Independent or addictive disorders?

The thesis of this book is that there are connections between eating disorders and substance abuse. There are similarities in the craving for food to the cravings for substances of addiction; people with eating disorders experience symptoms similar to those of classic addiction. With the increase in obesity in the West, this book hopes to focus future studies on more effective treatment.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Food Focus

he Food Focus Community Food Initiative promotes healthy eating through a variety of co-ordinated, strategic activities that offer people a way to engage in a positive approach to food. It is creating one community, one message about healthy eating and ensure the ability to achieve a healthy diet through building a variety of sustainable, engaging food activities. Food Focus is a set of community based structures dedicated to addressing the risk and instances of food poverty in the Knocknaheeny area and intends to act as a model for similar work across other RAPID/Health Area Zone areas on the North side of Cork. It offers participants the chance to grow their own food, sign up to the food charter, learn about budgeting and planning or volunteer. The Community Food Charter was developed by local people and other stakeholders supported by the Community Dietician and will reflect the kind of food experiences they want for themselves, their families, within projects and public outlets. They are currently developing a large community garden in Knocknaheeny. Contact Person Katherine Harford Phone +353 (0)21 4300135 Address HSE BuildingHarbourview RoadKnocknaheenyCork Email Katherine@nicheonline.ie Website http://www.nicheonline.ie/index.php?pageID=152

The New Growth Project

Free horticultural training in a private garden environment. A practical training course which combines horticultural techniques and the scientific principles. Course content is based on Royal Horticultural Society level 2 qualifications. Inspiring people to propagate plants, grow food for their own consumption and develop horticultural skills that will help in gaining employment. Funding: None at present- voluntary lead organisation Contact: Ciaran Burke Address: Egool, Kilmovee, Ballaghaderreen, Co.Mayo County: Mayo Phone number: 094 9649943 Email: newgrowth@thegardenschool.ie Website: www.thegardenschool.ie Partner organisation(s):

Portland Row Community Café

Our Vision is that each individual accessing these service’s be provided with a choice of affordable, nutritious meals in a safe, warm and attractive environment.  We achieve this through the following best practice standards: – Quality service – Maintaining a high quality environment – The highest quality food standard (with choice of meals) Cafes are open to the public from 8am serving breakfast until 11.30 and lunch/dinner from 12-4pm. (open Monday – Friday) Telephone: (01) 8555577 Initiative Type Community Cafés Location Dublin 1

Healthy Gardening

Helping Local People and Local Communities create a Healthier Environment The healthy gardening project is a ten week programme which runs in community gardens/allotments throughout the county in partnership with community development projects. The underpinning values of the approach taken are holistic in nature and cover the areas of individual and community health and wellbeing, ecosystem health, environment and sustainablility. HSE and VEC Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Letterkenny Funding HSE and VEC Partner Agencies Community projects County council Family resource centre VEC Adult Education Service

Food and Health Project Longford/Westmeath

The Food and Health Project offers practical healthy eating and lifestyle courses to groups cooking on a lower income. Courses offered include: C/O Athlone Community Taskforce Ball Alley Lane Athlone Westmeath HSE and community group Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Longford Westmeath Funding HSE and community group Partner Agencies HSE

Portadown Blossom Surestart Community Food Initiative

A group devised by our families for our families. Southern Trust Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Armagh Target Groups Families Funding Southern Trust Partner Agencies Early Years

Sophia Housing Gardening Project

Sophia Housing Gardening Project was set up in 2008. The Gardening Project has enhanced the living environment for the tenants and creates a space where people can socialize and interact. DCC Community Development Section Lead Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Dublin 8 Target Groups Homeless people Funding DCC Community Development Section Lead

Food and Health Project

Provision of community based Healthy Food Made Easy, Cool Dude and related courses. Based at Birchgrove Community Centre, Birchgrove, Portlaoise. HSE Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Laois Offaly Funding HSE Partner Agencies HSE Health Promotion

Fatima Food Project

Fatima Groups United Project aims to address food poverty, ill-health related to bad nutrition, lack of education and awareness around nutrition among local residents and to explore how the CFI can become sustainable. Their objectives are: Part of theCFI Programme 2013-2015 Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Dublin 8 Partner Agencies safefood

Blanchardstown Good Food Cooperative

Blanchardstown Good Food Cooperative aims to establish a Good Food Network in Dublin 15 to raise awareness of and seek to reduce food poverty. Part of theCFI Programme 2013-2015 Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Dublin 15 Partner Agencies safefood Website http://www.bap.ie/food-thought

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club was set up in January 2013. The aim of the breakfast club is to provide pupils with breakfast in a safe, structured and warm environment at the beginning of each school day so as to enhance their - Concentration- Attendance and punctuality- Nutrition- Social and personal development- Communication skills. The club is run by two parents and co-ordinated by the school principal. On average, 15 children attend the breakfast club each morning. A selection of cereals, fruit, toast and fruit juice are served each morning. All food is laid out in a buffet-style and children can serve themselves (with a little help from staff if needed). The breakfast club is part of the Pilot Programme of Breakfast Clubs which is funded through the Kellogg's Corporate Citizenship Fund. Part of theBreakfast Clubs Pilot Programme Initiative Type Breakfast Clubs Location Dublin 7 Target Groups Children ( 4-12 years) Funding The breakfast club is part of the Pilot Programme of Breakfast Clubs which is funded through the Kellogg's Corporate Citizenship Fund. Start 20th Jan 2013

Holles Row Community Café

Our Vision is that each individual accessing these service’s be provided with a choice of affordable, nutritious meals in a safe, warm and attractive environment.  We achieve this through the following best practice standards: – Quality service – Maintaining a high quality environment – The highest quality food standard (with choice of meals) Cafes are open to the public from 8am serving breakfast until 11.30 and lunch/dinner from 12-4pm.(open Monday - Saturday) Telephone: (01) 5515916 Initiative Type Community Cafés Location Dublin 2

Food Garden Project

The Food Garden Project is unique in bringing these two community groups together to work towards enhancing the participants' understanding of nutrition, healthy eating and self-sufficiency through growing fruit and vegetables and developing cookery skills. The Food Garden Projectâ?Ts aim is to support participants to grow, prepare and cook a range of fruit and vegetables throughout the year. There is also an emphasis on transferring these skills to their home life. The aim of the Food Garden Project is to support very marginalised and vulnerable individuals to grow, prepare and cook a range of healthy organic fruit and vegetables throughout the year. There is an emphasis on transferring these skills to their home life. A support worker and a cookery instructor assist the participants in learning how to grow produce and prepare healthy meals using the food products harvested from their community garden.   Part of theDemonstration Programme 2010-2012 Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Louth Target Groups Homeless people People with physical sensory and intellectual disability