Part of Healthier Scotland’s Focus on Food charitable food education programme, the Food Bus is an articulated lorry which opens out into a purpose built kitchen and classroom where qualified food teachers give communities a taste of quality cooking.

The bus was opened by Marieke Dwarshuis, vice chair of Hillcrest’s committee of management and Food Standards Scotland board member, during short ceremony Monday morning.

Marieke said: “It is very exciting and impressive to see the food bus in action.

“It is important to share the knowledge and skills of healthy eating and cooking, especially doing so on a budget. Cooking on a budget doesn’t necessarily mean buying the cheapest produce - it is about making what you buy go further, by being able to use basic ingredients from scratch, being sustainable with your food and wasting less in the kitchen.”

Bob Duncan, Dundee’s Lord Provost, visited the bus and enjoyed cooking up a storm with some Hillcrest staff.

Responsible for bringing the bus to Dundee was Hillcrest’s health and safety and sustainability co-ordinator, Janice Fraser.

Janice said: “Different, innovative and exciting, the Food Bus is a fantastic resource for championing healthier eating and Hillcrest is delighted to be bringing it to the people of Dundee.

“Some of our clients, tenants and service users don’t have the cooking skills or knowledge required to maintain a healthy diet so hopefully the bus sessions have helped a few people to start eating healthier.”

A range of sessions focused on healthy eating and reducing food waste are being held for Hillcrest Housing Association and Dundee City Council tenants, local school pupils, and service users from Gowrie Care and Craigowl Communities.

Food Bus is scheduled to be at Hillcrest HQ until this Thursday.

@Hillcrest_Group