Stirling Council’s catering teams have cooked up a recipe for success for residents receiving ‘shielding’ food packages.
From a tasty meat curry to a healthy sweet treat like rice pudding and fruit, the seasoned professionals at the council have served up some exciting options for those receiving support from the Scottish Government during the Coronavirus lockdown.
Stirling Council’s Chief Officer for HR and Organisational Development, Kristine Johnson, said: “The idea for this came about as an additional way to support people who are shielding at home and what they could achieve from the contents of the food box they receive.
“This gave our Catering Team a fun challenge and, as always, they delivered with creativity and the high degree of professionalism we see from them each and every day.”
Shielding
The Scottish Government published details of arrangements to provide shielding support for vulnerable people, which included information on food packages for those unable to leave home or have deliveries.
Basic but vital essentials, such as beans, bread, potatoes and fruit are included in weekly food packs delivered by the council. The team have come up with 11 recipes using the pack contents including baked bean curry, cowboy hash, tuna chilli, and rice pudding and fruit.
Janice Fanning, Service Manager for Facilities, said: “This was a simple but fun and effective way to continue to support our most vulnerable members of communities across the Stirling Council area.
“The council has already made and delivered more than 40,000 free school meals since the lockdown began and we were only too happy to give some creative but straight forward recipe ideas to those in isolation.”
Access to healthy food
Cllr Jim Thomson, Convenor for Environment & Housing, said: “This is yet another example of the fine work our officers are undertaking to help those most in need.
“Access to healthy food is vital for everyone. That’s recognised by the Scottish Government’s actions in delivering these packages. Our teams have now gone the extra mile to spice things up a bit and give people creative choices at a time when so many are cooped up at home each day.”
Vice convenor, Cllr Danny Gibson, added: “Our Catering Teams do an excellent job across all our facilities and schools and these recipes are easy to create, and great to taste.
“This list of recipes will hopefully add a bit of spice to the lives of those shielding at home during the toughest of times.”