As a local charity, IMPACT Foundation in Haywards Heath has been supporting Mid Sussex residents to cook healthy meals on a budget for 17 years.

At the beginning of the pandemic, IMPACT started providing recipe boxes which included all the ingredients necessary to make 3 healthy meals. Deliveries have been made throughout the summer and during October half term. The charity delivered just over 1,000 meals to residents in the run up to Christmas, including many in Lindfield and the surrounding area. Each box included plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables along with essential non-perishable foods to make Christmas that little bit more special for those who may be struggling. Recipes include Ruldoph’s Tasty Soup, Turkey and Vegetable Stir Fry and Bubble and Squeak Rosti.

One of IMPACT’s volunteers, Lucinda Meagher, has been the driving force behind the initiative which has included a large team of volunteers. She has coordinated the collection of donations and organised an ever growing team of volunteers. 17 of these loyal volunteers were involved in the packing and delivery of the recipe boxes.

Local businesses and residents have been keen to support the venture. In Lindfield it has been a family affair as the Chief Executive, Judi Stagg is a local resident. Her daughter, Emma, has coordinated donations from neighbours and her local school Lindfield Primary Academy, along with enormous support from Andi Frost at the Stand Up Inn in Lindfield.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed,” said Judi. “We are so grateful to the efforts of the local community in helping to make this initiative a success, particularly at Christmas. As a result of their generosity we have been able to increase the number of families benefitting from the deliveries from 40 to 70.”

IMPACT has also been running cookery sessions to give people an opportunity to learn new skills, build

confidence in the kitchen and try new recipes. Before lockdown, one to one, socially distanced sessions were held at Saltworks in Haywards Heath. These have now been replaced with online sessions and will be extended into the New Year.

If you would like more details of this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact IMPACT by email to: tastyteam@impact.org.uk.