The North New South Wales Conference (NNSW) Health department promoted its first FoodSAVE Facilitator Training at Gosford Seventh-day Adventist Church on March 16, equipping local Health Ministry leaders to help communities make nutritious food choices on a budget.
Led by health and lifestyle educators Margot Marshall and Kym Fowler, and nutritionist and lifestyle medicine practitioner Kaysie Vokurka, the training challenged the perception that healthy eating is expensive. Using the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, participants learned how to apply its food group proportions—such as whole grains, fruit and vegetables, legumes and protein—to everyday grocery shopping.
A highlight of the session was a supermarket tour comparing the cost of whole foods and processed items. “It was eye-opening to see the price difference,” said NNSW Health departmental assistant Kate Garriga. “A bulk bag of oats cost just $A1.90 per kilo, while highly processed individual cereal packs reached up to $A85 per kilo. These comparisons help explain why some people feel they can’t afford fresh produce.”
The day also included a budget-friendly cooking class, where participants learned how to prepare simple, healthy meals at home. “We made a complete lunch—including dessert—for just $A3.30 per person,” said Ms Garriga. “It’s a practical example of how eating well can be affordable.”
A budgeting workshop rounded out the day, helping attendees understand how to save up to 20 per cent on groceries by prioritising core food groups like vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and legumes.
Further FoodSAVE Facilitator Trainings are scheduled for July 20 in Mullumbimby and September 28 in Kempsey.
