STIRLING Council’s creative catering teams have cooked up a recipe for success for residents receiving ‘shielding’ food packages.

From a tasty meat curry to a healthy sweet treat like rice pudding and fruit, the seasoned professionals at the council have served up some exciting options for those receiving support from the Scottish Government during the coronavirus lockdown.

Stirling Council’s chief officer for human resources and organisational development, Kristine Johnson, said: “The idea for this came about as an additional way to support people who are shielding at home and what they could achieve from the contents of the food box they receive.

“This gave our Catering Team a fun challenge and, as always, they delivered with creativity and the high degree of professionalism we see from them each and every day.”

The Scottish Government published details of arrangements to provide shielding support for vulnerable people earlier this month, which included information on food packages for those unable to leave home or have deliveries.

Basic but vital essentials are included in the weekly packs, like beans, bread, potatoes and fruit for those who are shielding from coronavirus.

Residents looking to make changes to their delivery can contact Stirling Council’s Community Support Line on 01786 404040 to tailor the products.

Janice Fanning, service manager for facilities at the council, said: “This was a simple but fun and effective way to continue to support our most vulnerable members of communities across the Stirling Council area.

“The council has already made and delivered more than 40,000 free school meals since the lockdown began and we were only too happy to give some creative but straight forward recipe ideas to those in isolation.”

Cllr Jim Thomson, convenor for environment and housing, said: “This is yet another example of the fine work our officers are undertaking to help those most in need.

“Access to healthy food is vital for everyone. That’s recognised by the Scottish Government’s actions in delivering these packages.

"Our teams have now gone the extra mile to spice things up a bit and give people creative choices at a time when so many are cooped up at home each day.”

The full list of recipes includes:

  • Baked Bean Burgers
  • Baked Bean Curry
  • Beans on Toast
  • Cowboy Hash
  • Jacket Potato & Tuna
  • Meat Curry
  • Pasta with Tuna & Tomato Sauce
  • Rice Pudding & Fruit
  • Shepherd’s Pie
  • Stovies
  • Tuna Chilli

All recipes are available for download as a PDF on Stirling Council’s Coronavirus Updates and Support page under the Support for People section.