Praise for cook book project

A TOP politician has congratulated a Grimsby children’s centre after it produced a baby-weaning cook book.

East Marsh Children’s Centre produced the book, entitled Healthy Weaning, which advises on getting babies on to nutritious food, and it was shortlisted for an award.

The booklet contains simple recipes and pictures with ingredients easily found in local shops and supermarkets.

Now Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, has added his praise for the project.

Speaking at the Young People Now Awards, held in London, Mr Balls congratulated those involved.

He said: “I know that weaning babies onto solid food is not an easy thing to do and it is a hard thing to explain to new mums and dads.

“That is why I am so impressed by the easy-read booklet on healthy weaning, which has been produced by the East Marsh Children’s Centre."

The booklet, which is being revised for distribution to all children’s centres in the borough, has been endorsed by North East Lincolnshire Council as well as the dietetics department at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust.

All the food is relatively cheap to buy and can be frozen for the month ahead.

The project was piloted by 24 families, who also had home visits to help them make the most of the recipes in the booklet.

Jacqueline Chester, community nutrition assistant, was proud to have taken part in the project.

She said: “It has been a fantastic opportunity to produce the Healthy Weaning book.”

She added the parents had given the book a good reception.

“We are extremely pleased with the positive responses we have had from the parents,” she said.