In a proactive move to address the growing food crisis in Stoke-on-Trent, a local community organisation called Meir Matters (MM) has launched an initiative to distribute free air fryers to residents. This scheme aims to empower people to cook more nutritious meals at home, ultimately improving their overall health and wellbeing.
The decision to provide air fryers comes on the heels of a recent study by the University of Staffordshire, which revealed that the city is dangerously close to a humanitarian crisis, with a significant increase in food bank usage. Michelle Swift, the director of MM, explained that the organisation had previously run a similar programme involving slow cookers, and they are now looking to implement a more versatile solution.
“We’re trying to run something similar that helps people save money, eat healthy, do it on a budget and reduce waste at the same time,” Swift said. “If you’re feeding a family using it as well, it’s trying to be efficient, save them time and also something where they can get the family involved in cooking.”
The free air fryer initiative is part of a broader effort by MM to improve the nutrition of those living in the local area. The organisation recognises that many individuals, like Darren Jones, have become reliant on ready-made meals, which are often less healthy and more expensive.
“It’s not healthy for you,” Jones said. “I think that’s a bigger problem in society. People don’t look after their health – I know I don’t as much as I should.”
In response to this issue, MM is committed to providing support and resources to the community. “Nobody in Meir should be going hungry,” Swift stated. “Anybody who’s struggling can come to us – whether we provide an emergency food pack to keep them going for a few days, or whether we provide them with some pre-prepared, home-cooked meals.”
The distribution of free air fryers is seen as a practical and accessible solution to encourage healthier cooking habits. By empowering residents to prepare nutritious meals at home, MM hopes to not only improve individual health but also foster a stronger sense of community and self-reliance.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact households across the UK, initiatives like this one from Meir Matters serve as a shining example of how community-driven solutions can make a tangible difference in the lives of those most vulnerable.
