Anglia teams up with Norwich Community Sports Foundation to tackle food poverty
09 October 2024

A new initiative that aims to help tackle food poverty by providing affordable dinners to children after school has been launched in Norwich.
The ‘Play & Eat’ scheme has been launched by the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation following a £5,000 donation from Persimmon Homes Anglia.
Launched September and running every week-day afternoon (4pm to 6pm) Norwich City’s The Nest, the programme gives children and their families the chance to enjoy the facility’s impressive outdoor areas followed by a healthy, nutritious dinner.
Freshly cooked on site, and with a different choice available each evening, meals will include family favourites such as vegetarian lasagne, mango and lime chicken, tacos and jacket potatoes with a choice of toppings.
The ‘play’ hour will give children and their parents access to either the Challenge Woods outdoor play area or the community 3G football pitch.
Thanks to Persimmon Homes’ grant, the cost per child will be just £2.
Chief Executive Officer at the Community Sports Foundation, Ian Thornton, OBE said: “We are really proud to bring these ‘Play & Eat’ sessions to The Nest.
“Not only will local families be able to enjoy a healthy, freshly cooked meal, the ‘play’ hour offers an invaluable opportunity to socialise, exercise and make new friends, all for a very reasonable price.
“While the programme is open to all, we hope it will be most beneficial for those who are struggling to cope with the ever-rising costs of feeding their children or providing a healthy, nutritious meal.
“We’re very grateful to Persimmon for their donation which has enabled us to make this project a reality.”
Jorden Knell, Sales Director for Persimmon Homes Anglia, said: “We are delighted to be able to work with the Norwich Community Sports Foundation to launch the Play and Eat programme for young people and their families in the area.
“Having seen first-hand the facilities available at The Nest we know that young people will benefit from this opportunity to use them before enjoying a wholesome, balanced meal.
“At Persimmon Homes we take great pride in supporting our communities and it is a privilege to be able to work with the Foundation to bring forward this new programme.