Cooking classes reduce living costs and build community in South Australia

The Cooking Outside the Box program provides residents of Berri in South Australia's Riverland with skills to cook on a budget and build social connections.

The initiative operates through the Berri Community Centre and involves a partnership between the non-profit organisation ac.care and Foodbank. Participants use ingredients from a local garden to prepare various meals, including pasta dishes and diverse cultural cuisines. The program aims to alleviate financial pressure by teaching people how to create affordable meals.

Sue Dayman, the coordinator of the Berri Community Centre, says that reducing the cost of cooking can help families afford other activities like sports. The classes also serve as a social hub for people of different ages and cultural backgrounds. Attendees engage in activities like Zumba to build physical fitness while waiting for their meals to finish. Participants report that the group environment improves their mental health and provides a sense of belonging.

Janet Becker, a long-time member of the group, notes that the program has expanded significantly since she joined. The group now provides extra food for the homeless in the local area. The participants largely manage the sessions themselves, creating a self-led community environment.