A food and health initiative that helps low-income households across Thanet and areas further afield cook healthy meals for under £1 per portion has been named a finalist in the prestigious BBC Food and Farming Awards 2026.
Bags of Taste Thanet, which delivers mentored, home-based cooking programmes to residents, was selected for its innovative approach to tackling health inequalities and food insecurity across the region.
Now in their 25th year, the BBC Food and Farming Awards honour the individuals and initiatives transforming the UK’s food landscape.
Unlike traditional classroom courses or emergency food banks, Bags of Taste works directly in people’s homes using their own kitchen equipment. The scheme addresses barriers such as transport issues, time poverty and high living costs, helping participants step away from expensive ultra-processed foods.
One year after completing the programme, participants save an average of £1,050 per year on their food bills.
Alicia Weston BEM, Founder and CEO of Bags of Taste, said: “Most people we work with in communities across Thanet and the UK do not lack cooking skills; they face complex structural barriers, time poverty, and high living costs. By delivering our mentored programme directly into participants’ homes, we help local residents build habits that work in their actual everyday lives.”
The winners of the BBC Food and Farming Awards 2026 will be announced at an official ceremony later this autumn and featured across BBC Radio 4 and BBC Food programming.
To find out more about Bags of Taste visit www.bagsoftaste.org
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