The Goodie Box initiative

Devon Food Partnership is delighted to share success of a new Devon County Council initiative, the Goodie Box. The Goodie Box logo

Over two thousand meal boxes were delivered to families with young children during the 2021
Easter holiday in an initiative designed to help those who are struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Goodie Box saw 8 simple recipe ideas and ingredients delivered to families’ front doors.  Each recipe has tips on how to swap or add ingredients (including meat and fish), and advice on healthy eating, and how to prevent food waste.

All the recipes use store cupboard and widely available ingredients, many of which are also consistent with food available for purchase with Healthy Start vouchers (should families be eligible).

Also included in the box was a fun book with activities and useful information for the family, and cress seeds with planting instructions.

Ruby Entwistle of Public Health Devon, and coordinator for The Goodie Box initiative, said:

We know a lot of families with very young children have found the coronavirus pandemic extremely challenging.  Many families’ incomes have changed, and they have been faced with new sources of stress, which can affect both mental and physical health.  These pressures can make it difficult for families to eat healthily.

The Goodie Boxes are designed to help connect children and parents with food, and provide some inspiration for recipes which are healthy for people and planet. The recipes themselves are simple, and good fun for families to make together.  And there are tips on how to eat up the leftovers, so that there’s no food wasted.

So these boxes are about eating well, but they’re also about having fun as a family and learning important skills, from planning and preparing healthy meals, to minimising food waste.

Families are being asked to provide feedback on the boxes. So far, the boxes have a rating of 4.91 stars out of 5, with 94% of families enjoying the recipes.

Nicola from Ipplepen and her family of six received a Goodie Box.  Nicola said:

Fantastic concept and we got our box yesterday! We couldn’t afford one of those fancy food boxes, so this was just a lovely way of trying something like that. Apparently my older boys are making the burgers for tea so fingers crossed!

Damien from Bideford and family also received a box.  Damien said:

It was like Christmas all over again! The kids were especially excited as their box had a mango in it and they had never seen one before. We were all excited to cook the recipes. It was such a simple thing to apply for brought the whole family so much joy.

and Candice, from Torrington, said on behalf of her family:

It was totally wonderful to receive the massive amount of fresh produce, absolutely overwhelmed by the amount myself and my son received.  To get this Goodie Box today has really helped us out. The amount was amazing, it all looks fantastic, it has taken the pressure off to feed myself and my son for next couple of weeks.

Families looking for similar food and financial support in Devon, may wish to access the DCC support pages: Financial support for individuals and families in Devon.