Food and Health Project looking for Local Peer Leaders

The Food & Health Project
The Food and Health Project began in 1992.  It has grown to become a key nutrition health promotion project in Ireland.  The project is a joint initiative between the HSE and local Community Development Organisations.  The Food and Health Project aims to improve nutritional knowledge and to encourage healthy food shopping, cooking and eating for households. Members of the community are trained as Food and Health Leaders to deliver a 6 week Healthy Food Made Easy programme to groups in the locality.  In the last ten years around 15,000 people have participated in these programmes – with each participant taking new knowledge and skills back to their households.  The Food and Health Leaders are supported by local Co-ordinators and HSE Community Dietitians.  The Food and Health Project has been well established in many parts of West Dublin and Kildare through the CPLN and Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnerships, with the HSE.  It is now expanding to allow greater access to the Healthy Food Made Easy Programme across West Dublin, Kildare and Dublin South City.

Food and Health Leaders

After completion of training Food and Health Leaders deliver the Healthy Food Made Easy Programme to groups in the community.  Examples of groups who avail of the programme include active retirement groups, back to education groups, parents groups, members of the Travelling Community. Leaders can run courses during the hours and days which suit their lifestyles and will be paid after successful delivery of each six session course.   

Support will be available from the Project Co-ordinator for the delivery of each course.  Peer Leaders will not be expected to source target groups, venues or network on behalf of the project as this will be done by the Co-ordinator.  The Co-ordinator will also deal with any administration associated with the programme.

No specific qualifications are required to apply to train as a Food and Health Leader.  Applications are encouraged from those who have an interest in food, people and in their community.  It is essential that applicants have their own transport and time and flexibility needed to deliver courses.



The Healthy Food Made Easy Programme

This is a 6 session (2.5 hours per session) programme which Food and Health Leaders are trained to deliver.  Each session has a fun and interactive theory component and a cookery component. 

• Session 1 – Building a Food Pyramid – an introduction to the course and the food pyramid
• Session 2 – The Fibre Providers – learn about the importance of fibre and how it works
• Session 3 – Focus on Fats – learn ways of reducing fat in our diet
• Session 4 – Food for life – learn about nutritional needs at different life stages
• Session 5 – Shop Smart – discuss shopping/advertising and meet the Community Dietitian
• Session 6 – The Road Ahead – reflect on the programme and certificate presentation