As part of this initiative, the council is offering residents free access to a premium membership of FiveDinners (normally £86 per year), giving families and individuals practical tips and advice about everyday meal planning. The council is funding this scheme using monies from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Residents do not need to provide any bank or payment details to sign up and taking part will not result in them being automatically subscribed or charged once the free trial period ends.
Residents who sign up will receive fully personalised weekly meal plans tailored to their dietary requirements and preferences, including low-calorie, budget-conscious, family-focused and menopause-friendly options. Each plan comes with a complete shopping list and step-by-step recipes, helping households save time, make best use of food budgets, and avoid the daily stress of deciding what to cook.
Theo Michaels, founder of FiveDinners, said: “As a father of three and someone who works full-time, I know how difficult it can be to plan meals every day – it really can be a faff. By working with East Herts Council, we’re helping residents enjoy tasty, affordable home-cooked food while cutting down on waste. Because the plans are personalised, people can set their preferences, number of mouths to feed, any allergies and receive a brand-new tailored meal plan with a full shopping list each week.”
Residents who sign up will join more than 30,000 members across the country already using the service, with access to a wide range of tried-and-tested meal plans designed to suit different lifestyles, from quick and easy midweek meals to affordable family favourites and menopause-focused plans. The service is suitable for everyone from complete beginners in the kitchen to confident home cooks.
Councillor Sarah Hopewell, Executive Member for Wellbeing at East Herts Council, said: “With two young children myself, I know only too well the challenges of trying to come up with meals that everyone will willingly eat! And with busy lives and limited time, it's easy to get stuck in a rut. The Five Dinners meal planner is a great helping hand, with lots of ideas for quick, low cost, nutritious meals using everyday ingredients. The platform also creates shopping lists based on the weeks' recipes, taking much of the hassle out of organising food shopping. Whether you're new to cooking or just looking for new ideas, I'd encourage everyone to give it a try."
Councillor Tim Hoskin, Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability at East Herts Council, said: “We know how busy daily life can be and how easy it is to overspend or waste food when shopping without a plan. Having recipes and shopping lists in one place will make it much easier to shop smarter, avoid over-buying and cut down on food waste. It’s a simple but practical tool that helps people save both time and money while making mealtimes fun.”
Residents can sign up by visiting:
https://FiveDinners.com/MyCommunity
and clicking on East Herts Council.