Food rescue charity OzHarvest has received a grant from the ACT Government to help hard-up Canberrans to eat more healthily and improve their cooking skills.

OzHarvest received a $247,500 ACT Health Promotion Grant to run the NEST (Nutrition Education & Skills Training) program, which improves the food literacy and dietary behaviours of Canberrans experiencing adversity.

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OzHarvest works with 19 local community groups to deliver six-week workshops focusing on healthy, low-cost food shopping and budgeting, cooking demonstrations, and virtual supermarket tours.

Participants who complete the program receive the NEST Everyday Cookbook, which has nutritious, accessible, low-cost recipes and information on nutrition and affordability.

OzHarvest also gives participating community organisations its NEST resource toolkit. The toolkit includes posters, factsheets, dietary guidelines, and other resources to support nutritious eating.

Nutritionists and dietitians developed the NEST program, which aligns with the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

“The rising cost of living has seen so many new people struggling to put food on the table,” Elisha West, national NEST program manager, said. “NEST has proven results in improving nutrition, increasing community connection, and creating long-term behavioural change in the lives of many vulnerable people.”

The NEST program started in Canberra three years ago. Since then, 222 participants have taken part in nearly 140 sessions.

“ACT Health has provided a gold-standard for the program nationally in achieving health outcomes and addressing food insecurity,” Ms West said.

“Those who have taken part in the program have reported they feel more confident cooking nutritious meals, have increased their food security, and are less likely to consume unhealthy foods and drinks,” health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.

“The ACT Government is committed to investing in programs that improve the health and wellbeing of our community. Healthy eating brings a lifetime of benefits, helping to reduce the risk of developing chronic disease later in life.”

The NEST program supports the goals of Healthy Canberra: ACT Preventive Health Plan 2020-2025, which seeks to improve the health of Canberrans through every stage of life.

Consultation is open on the next three-year Preventive Health Action Plan (2023-25), which closes on 28 July.

For more information: yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/preventive-health.