Lay summary
Food security is a challenge faced by many people in Aotearoa, particularly those living in poverty. Since 2016, WELLfed has been "nourishing communities through food & connections". Staff and tutors teach learners food preparation, and provide food and utensils for a 10-week course. Informal evaluation shows that learners are more confident, eat more healthily, and spend less on food following the course. In preparation for a formal evaluation, we propose two activities: (i) literature review of evaluation of other similar initiatives in the food security space, and (i) interviews and focus groups with WELLfed leaders, tutors and learners, to refine proposed outcome measures, to strengthen the development of a full evaluation, with the potential for co-designed changes to the current and future offerings. The work will also strengthen a relationship between WELLFed and Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington.