Healthy Eating

Safefood Community Food Initiative 2019-2021

The purpose of the safefood Community Food Initiative 2019-2021 is to promote healthy eating among families with children up to the age of 12 years. Through the Healthy Galway City programme, Galway City Partnership was successful in securing funding under this initiative, which will allow for the delivery of two community events and two small projects, each year, for three years. This is of significant importance as Healthy Eating is a key theme of the Healthy Galway City Strategy. 

The Healthy Food Made Easy Programme

Healthy Food Made Easy (HFME) is a 6-week programme which provides participants with practical information on healthy eating, including, reading food labels, budgeting and meal planning. Participants also have the opportunity to improve cooking skills and experiment with dishes that are quick and easy to prepare. 

As COVID-19 restrictions have prevented us from delivering HFME programmes in the community, we have developed an online version to support participants to prepare healthy and nutritious meals for themselves and their families, from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Online HFME programmes will be rolled out from February 2021. For more information contact Ashling on 085 8217547 or email healthygalway@gcp.ie. 

Upcoming Programmes:

Let's Get Galway Growing

Let's Get Galway Growing is a network of community gardens in Galway City that are organised and run by local community volunteers for the local community. There are currently eight gardens in the network situated across Galway City. The gardens are important community spaces that enable people to get involved in gardening and community events throughout the year. Each garden hosts various free activities and workshops on healthy cooking and eating, growing and harvesting organic food and other community health initiatives. The gardens are open to everyone and family friendly. If you would like to find out more about the community gardens contact the garden in your area directly or contact Galway City Partnership on 091 773466 or email info@gcp.ie.

Follow Let's Get Galway Growing on Facebook and Twitter.

Find a Garden Near You

Ard Community Garden

Ballybane Community Garden

Ballinfoile Mor Community Garden

Westside (Seamus Quirke Rd) Community Garden

Bridge House, Community Garden, Cope Galway

Eglington Community Garden

Westside Edible Forest Demonstration Garden

Scoil Croi Iosa

Healthy Eating Supports in Galway City

Supermarket Tours - The HSE Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service offer FREE Supermarket Tours in Galway City. The tours equip participants with the skills needed to make healthier choices when shopping. Themed tours are also available, including ‘Food choices for diabetes’, ‘Healthy food for the family’ or ‘Shopping for one’. For more information, or to register your interest please call 091 861186

Breastfeeding Support Groups- click here for a list of Breastfeeding support groups in Galway. For further information on breastfeeding visit the mychild.ie website.

Free online talks on feeding your baby - The introduction of solid foods is an important development stage for your baby both nutritionally and socially. These free online talks offer helpful advice on moving from milk to solids. Parents will have an opportunity to have any questions they may have answered. Registration is essential. For more information contact Kathleen on 083 0274858 or email earlyyears@gcp.ie.

National and Local Policies and Plans

• A Healthy Weight for Ireland – Obesity Policy and Action Plan

• Galway City Early Years Health and Wellbeing Plan

Resources

Safefood 101 Square Meals Cookbook - Easy recipes for everyday life

Useful websites: safefood.eu; makeastart.ie; mychild.ie, gov.ie/together 

Healthy Meeting Guidelines

A range of printed materials, including information in relation to healthy eating, are now available to download, or order, through healthpromotion.ie/publications.