North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Inmates learn to make healthy choices
Cooking classes are teaching prisoners how to lead healthier lives when they return to their wha¯ nau.
The inmates, from Auckland Prison at Paremoremo, are in the middle of a course run by the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation called Tika Tunu, or Just Cook.
They’ve learned about health, nutrition and wellbeing, and how to create good food from real ingredients.
One prisoner, who can’t be named, said, before starting the course, he had no knowledge of cooking.
‘‘The highlight has been learning about vegetables and being able to take the skills that I’ve learned home to cook for my children and let them cook with me.’’
The man said the weekly course was also an escape.
‘‘It’s actually quite therapeutic. It takes you’re away from everyday life in prison and makes you feel free for a little while and helped me think about the future and the path I want to to head down.’’
Nutritionist Anna Mrkusic runs the programme and said one focus of the course was sports, as many of the participants played league or rugby in the prison team.
‘‘It is building food and financial literacy skills, as well as with a big focus on health,’’ Mrkusic said.
‘‘It’s developing skills. It’s also an opportunity to access very good food. The other guys out there are asking, ‘How can I get involved?’’’
Alongside cooking, the class has had visits from a sports nutritionist and dietician who talked about eating around sports. They’ve also looked at reading food labels and what goes into kids’ lunchboxes.
A second prisoner, who plays rugby league, hoped to use his knowledge to pursue personal training on release.
He said the course encouraged him to eat well.
‘‘I liked how colourful the vegetables are. I never liked veges, I hated them, and now I’m eating them.’’
The prison’s principal advisor of rehabilitation and planning, Kellie Paul, said having a the programme in the prison was ‘‘ground-breaking’’.
‘‘The key here is around making healthy choices, learning practices, knowing how to cook on a budget and contributing positively to the family, and taking that knowledge home.’’
The course was funded by the Auckland Community Trust.