The Plant-Based Community Cookery School
The Plant-Based Community Cookery School
Posted Wednesday 19th March 2025...
Over the next ten months, we are excited to collaborate with Vanessa Er, a public health researcher from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, to gather valuable insights that will help strengthen our existing programmes and expand our reach. We believe that community kitchens are essential for creating sustainable, resilient communities, and through this research, we aim to highlight their true value to society.
As part of a broader evaluation of the impact of community kitchens across England, we are proud to see our Community Made meal service making a tangible difference to this evaluation. Last year, we provided 20,400 community meals to 899 people. Through our bespoke cooking sessions, food education, and skills training, we continue to help create stronger, more connected communities.
Vanessa says, “I am particularly interested in the impact of community-based food initiatives, and community kitchens appeal to me because of the way they bring people together through food. To me, they represent more than just a place to eat - they foster a sense of community, belonging, and personal growth.”
Vanessa's work will explore the impact of community kitchens beyond individuals, looking at how they support health, well-being, confidence, and skills development. She will also examine how these kitchens foster social connections and contribute to economic and environmental sustainability. Through this research, we hope to uncover even more ways to maximise the positive impact of community kitchens on the people they serve.
Vanessa added, “I will be engaging with individuals who use, attend, or work in community kitchens to hear about their experiences. By gathering evidence, I hope to raise awareness of their value and strengthen the case for sustaining and expanding the vital work they do.”
A crucial part of this study is understanding the experiences of everyone involved in community kitchens (whether community members, staff, or volunteers) and finding the most effective ways to measure these impacts.
We look forward to sharing how Vanessa’s research will benefit Made InHackney and the communities taking part. Stay tuned for updates!