Geelong region to host Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food

Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food centre is to be located in Geelong.

Victoria's Health Minister David Davis said today (30 June 2012) the Victorian Government is partnering with The Good Foundation to set up Jamie’s Ministry of Food Victoria, a cooking and nutrition education program.

“Jamie Oliver’s successful program will be based in Geelong as part of our new statewide push to promote healthy eating – the Victorian Healthy Eating Enterprise (VHEE),” Mr Davis said.

“The Government has committed $2.87 million to The Good Foundation to support the delivery of the program here in Victoria, which also includes the establishment of a Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen.

“The Geelong centre and the mobile kitchen together will offer cooking classes to over 10,000 Victorians as well as cooking demonstrations.

The Good Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation who has partnered with Jamie Oliver and The Good Guys to roll-out Jamie’s Ministry of Food throughout Australia.

Mr Davis said Jamie’s Ministry of Food Victoria is a part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s Prevention Community Model being implemented in 14 local government areas.

“The Ministry of Food classes provide the basics of cooking and food nutrition,” Mr Davis said.

CEO of Jamie’s Ministry of Food Australia, Alicia Peardon says “Jamie’s Ministry of Food aims to inspire people to get back to basics and start cooking meals from scratch again.”

“The program is designed to empower people, through giving them the resources and confidence to cook at home and make some simple, but powerful, changes to the way they eat and feed their families.”

The Jamie’s Ministry of Food centre in Geelong will provide:

   •  Advice on ingredients and fresh seasonal produce;
   •  Tips on how to go shopping on a budget and make it last;
   •  Advice on how to prepare food and cook it;
   •  Simple and easy, step-by-step recipes;
   •  Basic tips on budgeting and meal planning; and,
   •  Advice on how to read food labels.

Jamie Oliver, who recently visited Victoria, is thrilled with the announcement of the Geelong centre.

"I'm so incredibly excited that the Ministry of Food will be opening up in Geelong. When I was lucky enough to meet the Minister for Health, Mr Davis, and also the Premier back in March, I was so impressed at their commitment to finding solutions to Victoria's health problems.

“I remember at the time saying that in Australia ­ and Victoria, in particular,­ we had politicians leading the world in their vision for better health. Food education is a key part of the solution and these gentlemen, along with our friends at The Good Guys, understand that.

"For the people of Geelong and the surrounding area, this is fantastic news and I know everyone involved from The Good Foundation will make sure that anyone who comes to the new Ministry of Food will leave inspired. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has helped to make this happen," Jamie said.

The City of Greater Geelong has been selected to host the kitchen based on its larger population size and community characteristics suited to the initiative. As with all of the participating local government areas, Geelong faces health challenges related to healthy eating, physical activity, smoking and obesity rates.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Cr John Mitchell said the Ministry of Food kitchen will be located in Central Geelong with a shopfront providing views of classes, activities and information.

“We will be working closely with the Ministry of Food to link it with the many other healthy living activities being planned in the region,” Cr Mitchell said.

The initiative is consistent with the health objectives of G21's Health and Wellbeing pillar. Click here for details of the pillar's projects.