Happy New Year - but for too many people it will be another hungry year

Wishing all PGC readers a Happy New Year. May you all be able to afford all the food you need and to keep your home at a safe temperature.

But let's not forget that for many people in Palmers Green, the wider borough and throughout the UK, the signs are that, despite the change of governing party, in 2025 their income will again be insufficient for them to afford to eat properly and heat their homes to a safe temperature. The shameful situation whereby many people are dependent on food banks in one of the world's richest countries will continue.

My personal view is that the current government, like all its predecessors since at least 2010, is pursuing deeply misguided policies that will not solve widespread poverty and misery, when effective and affordable alternatives exist. But this is not the place to dive into discussions of politics or economics. Instead, I want to take this opportunity to remind readers of the wonderful work being done by a charity set up by a local resident: Cooking Champions.

The UK today is a land of food banks, and Cooking Champions share some of their characteristics. But they are so much more. Their purpose is "improving the physical and mental wellbeing of the local community and further afield". At their community kitchen they cook meals from scratch, providing a varied, imaginative and nutritious menu, either delivered to customers or served at their convivial lunches in Ponders End. They teach cooking skills to both children and adults. Since their launch at the height of the pandemic in 2020 they have cooked more than 58.000 meals, never missing a week.

In 2024 alone they made 8057 meals, delivered 9684 bags of food, worked in collaboration with more than twenty schools and community groups, and fed more than 2700 visitors to their community kitchen. They have achieved this without any support from government or from the council.

They have "big plans" for 2025 focusing on three charitable aims - food support, education and training, but "as with many small charities our main aim is to still be here this time next year".

You too can help ensure that they are here this time next year, by volunteering, donating or just spreading the word.

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...And if you're a woman who wants to set up her own business, here's six months of free help to get you started!

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