Members of the inclusive WorkAbility group in Duhallow are set to take part in a new programme designed to build confidence in the kitchen, develop healthy eating habits and strengthen independent living skills.
The initiative forms part of IRD Duhallow’s Safefood Community Food Initiative, which aims to support people across the region in building confidence, knowledge and practical skills around healthy eating, while promoting inclusion, accessibility and the use of locally produced food.
The first strand of the project, Our Kitchen, Our Health, gets underway on August 6 and will work directly with members of the WorkAbility group, which includes people with a range of physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities.
Through practical, hands-on sessions, participants will develop everyday cooking skills, learn about healthy food choices and gain greater confidence in preparing meals, helping to promote healthier lifestyles and increased independence.
Alongside the kitchen-based programme, IRD Duhallow is also launching From Garden to Table, an initiative focused on improving access to fresh, locally grown produce through the development of a community farmers’ market in partnership with Duhallow Social Farming and Community Gardens.
The project will create opportunities for people with additional needs to experience life on working farms while also encouraging volunteering within community gardens, helping to strengthen connections between local food production and the wider community.
Mariia Palchak, Integration Officer at IRD Duhallow, said the project is about much more than food.
“Overall, this Community Food Initiative places food at the centre of inclusion, learning and community connection. It links kitchen-based skills with local growing and access to fresh produce, creating a practical ‘garden to table’ pathway that can support healthier choices, independence, participation and rural resilience.”
By combining practical cookery education with opportunities to engage in local food production, the initiative aims to make healthy eating more visible, achievable and accessible for people who may face barriers to food knowledge, cooking opportunities or access to fresh produce.
The Safefood Community Food Initiative is another example of IRD Duhallow’s commitment to building inclusive, resilient rural communities while supporting healthier lifestyles throughout the region.
