Published: Thursday, 5th March 2026
Hanseatic Union has worked alongside the borough council to deliver new Food for Thought sessions held at the Beacon Church in North Lynn.
Cllr Jo Rust, Cabinet Member for People and Communities, said the sessions continue to play an important role in helping residents build confidence in the kitchen and connect with others:
“The borough council has been running these Food for Thought events in our towns and villages for several years now. They are free to attend; you can pick up some food tips and discover how to cook on a budget, as well as meet other likeminded people,”
Cllr Rust praised the Hanseatic Union for extending the programme’s reach:
“I’m grateful to the Hanseatic Union for funding, promoting and organising these new sessions to the many people they serve in our community. They carry out vital work in West Norfolk and engage with members of our community that we, as a council, can struggle to reach.”
The early sessions have already attracted a wide mix of local residents. Julie Chaplin, Project Lead at the Hanseatic Union, said the response has been encouraging. “We welcomed British, Latvians, Libyans, Lithuanians and Ukrainians to the first few sessions and I hope to see many more attend between now and the end of March,”
Chaplin added that the programme is becoming a community effort in its own right:
“As well as attending, members of our community are supporting the events by volunteering in the kitchen, marketing the programme, washing up and translating. Each week these sessions highlight a different topic, and I hope that our community can benefit from them. I’m pleased to see that they are already well attended.”
Food for Thought has previously been delivered in Downham Market, Hunstanton, King’s Lynn and Terrington St Clement, and the council hopes more areas will come forward. Cllr Rust encouraged local groups to explore hosting opportunities:
“We’re keen for other communities to benefit from these events. Please do come and talk to our Lily team at the borough council if you’re interested in hosting a Food for Thought series of events.”
The Lily team can be contacted at asklily@west-norfolk.gov.uk.