Volunteers prepare for groundbreaking new research project
Volunteers met for the first time to begin work on new research project into how women use food as resistance. The project is the first of its kind and aims to shatter the stereotypes around women’s passive role in the kitchen.
The research is for a new book called Kitchen Resistance. It is part historical non-fiction, and part cook book. It will share stories of women activists in East London, alongside recipes donated by food bank users.
Project and volunteer coordinator, Esther Freeman said: “The book itself is an act of resistance. It challenges the idea that food bank users are feckless individuals who can’t budget or cook. Through their tasty and cheap recipes, we’ll prove this is a lazy stereotype.
“Food poverty is cyclical, occurring constantly throughout history, from the Irish Potato Famine, to our current cost of living crisis. Resistance is essential to our survival. Throughout history women have often been best placed to resist due to their unique position within the home.”
The volunteer meeting took place in Walthamstow, East London. It focused on teaching different research techniques, including both online and in archives and libraries. Each volunteer chose a different area to focus on, exploring topics such as food during wartime; food as solidarity; food as community and more.
The research will be completed by summer 2025, with the book published sometime in 2026. There will be an accompanying podcast and exhibition.
FACT BOX
1. As well as fighting for the vote, suffragettes in East London fought food poverty, by providing free milk to infants and young children and running a cost-priced canteen.
2. While Marcus Rashford has become one of today’s food poverty heroes, he credits all his hard work to his mum, Melanie. When the food bank, FareShare, wanted to name one of their depots after him, he insisted they use his mum’s name instead. He also dedicated his Sports Personality of the Year award to her.
3. Since the turn of the 20th century, Britain has stumbled from one food crisis to another. In 2022/23, 7.2 million people were recognised as living in food poverty – that’s 11% of the population, including 17% of all children. That is an increase of 2.5 million people on the year before.
4. The project is run by Share UK, a heritage and arts organisation based in East London. It is funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
5. The volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, including academics, retirees and young people starting their heritage careers.