Reducing food inequalities for women seeking asylum
Afrocats and Women Asylum Seekers Together (WAST) have taken a creative approach to address the food inequalities that people seeking asylum experience. The cost-of-living crisis has created food insecurities for many people living below the poverty line in Greater Manchester. But little focus is given to the experiences of women seeking asylum.
Food and cooking can connect us to our culture, our heritage and give comforting memories of home. But there are few opportunities for the women seeking asylum that are living in hotels to cook for themselves or enjoy traditional food.
People seeking asylum housed in accommodation such as hotels under Section 4 of the Home Office regulations receive only £8.24 per week, along with basic food and toiletries. The food in hotels is often processed, unhealthy and lacking in variety, made worse by the cost of living crisis.
To counteract this WAST and Afrocats received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund so women in the WAST network could spend 12 weeks cooking together. The project aimed to give the women agency and importantly introduce healthy variety into their diets.
The recipes from the project have now been collated into My Culture My Cookbook, a recipe book with dishes from Iraq to the Congo and Syria to Namibia. Many of the recipes are made from memory, handed down from grandmother to mother and to daughter. The money raised from sales of the cookbook will help raise vital funds so WAST can continue their work.
Biola, a member of the cooking project said:
"We all come from different countries and when we were put into the hotels we didn't know each other or understand each other's culture and languages. This project has helped us to get to know each other better and learn about different cultural dishes. This project has given us the chance to cook and eat healthy food. Food that is comforting and reminds us of home. It is important to know that we have put our whole hearts into this book. We hope that many people will buy this cookbook and learn about our cultures."
Eunice Manu, WAST grassroots coordinator said:
“This project has created a space for the women to take away their daily stresses. The women living in hotels do not get a choice over what they cook and have little opportunity to eat cultural dishes. The 12-weeks we spent cooking together gave the women the opportunity to touch and taste dishes that reminded them of home. The project has enabled the women to feel part of the community, giving them a sense of belonging.”
Magdalen Bartlett, Afrocats CEO said:
“A group of women who were living in the hotels told me they hadn't been able to touch or smell their food and spices for a long time. Over this project we have seen how important it is that women have access to culturally appropriate food to support their wellbeing. The women all speak different languages but they have been able to communicate through food, growing a deeper respect and understanding for each other.”
My Culture My Cookbook is £20 plus postage and packaging and can be ordered by contacting wastmanchestercontact@gmail.com
