Community food projects invited to apply for free growth programme as Cook for Change returns
Community food projects across London are invited to apply now for a free programme to help them develop more sustainable models and support more people.
Published: 04/03/2026
Designed to help projects explore different ways to generate income, the seven-month 'Cook for Change' programme helps community groups to support even more people locally.
20 places are now open to people running food and cooking initiatives.
Successful applicants will take part in a three-day bootcamp, pitch training with Google, and receive one-to-one support from industry experts to develop their business plans.
The project is run by Cook for Good; a social enterprise based on Peabody’s Priory Green Estate in Islington that’s tackling food insecurity, social isolation and barriers to work.
Building on success
The first Cook for Change programme last year supported a group of budding social entrepreneurs all looking for new ways to diversify their funding and drive social change through food and cooking, from tackling food insecurity to improving people’s health and building social connections.
The programme backed a wide range of local ideas - from community kitchens and after-school clubs, to cooking classes for parents. Each one was rooted in its neighbourhood and focused on bringing people together through food.
The impact was clear; the 10 people who completed the full programme all created a business plan and said they felt more skilled and confident as social entrepreneurs.
Seven developed a new product or service, and six took on new staff, creating jobs in their local communities. Five have already expanded the number of people they support.
One participant said: “The bootcamp has allowed me to find real clarity over my next steps and how to grow my enterprise. The perfect balance of inspiration and information.”
Emma Stewart MBE, Development Director at Cook for Good said: “We have been so impressed by the passion and drive from our first Cook for Change cohort. In such a short space of time they have really applied the ideas and learning from the programme to help them develop their ventures and start to diversify their revenue. It’s exciting to see community leaders recognising themselves as social entrepreneurs too. I can’t wait to see what our next cohort do!”
The programme has received support from not-for-profit housing association Peabody, Wates Family Enterprise Trust, Fusion 21 Foundation, Compass Foundation and Restaurant Associates. Three more housing associations – L&Q, Clarion Housing Group and Notting Hill Genesis – are also supporting the new round, helping it reach even more neighbourhoods.
Andrea Purslow, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Funding at Peabody, said: "We’ve supported Cook for Change from the very beginning because we’ve seen the difference community-led food projects make to people’s lives. This programme helps grassroots organisations become more resilient and financially sustainable, so they can continue making a lasting impact to residents and neighbourhoods.”
How to apply and find out more
The application deadline is Friday 20 March 2026.
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