'Thrifty Plates’ helping cut food waste and energy bills

The council’s Health Improvement Service is running ‘Thrifty Plates’ - a FREE 4-week course on cooking energy efficient, cost effective, delicious slow cooker meals.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a slow cooker is one of the most energy efficient kitchen appliances. Slow cookers have low wattage, so even cooking something for eight hours will use less energy than an oven or hob, reducing your carbon emissions and saving you money on your fuel bills.

They’re also a great way to use up food that might otherwise get thrown away. You can make all kinds of meals in a slow cooker and throw in any ‘wonky’ veg or ingredients that are about to go out of date.

You don’t need to own a slow cooker to do the course, the Health Improvement Service will give you one for FREE that you can keep. You’ll also be given a food bag at the start of each session with all the ingredients you’ll need. The course leader will show you how to make a range of meals, including some meat-free options, which reduce your carbon footprint even further.

To find dates, times and venues and to book a place go to the social and special interest groups page on  Salford City Council website.