Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

Michael Pollan

Sage advice by Michael Pollan that cuts through the noise of fad diets and endless nutritional debates to offer a simplified tenet for healthy eating and by extension, living. Pollan also reminds us that our relationship with food extends far beyond mere sustenance – it’s about nourishing our bodies, our communities, and the planet.

These thoughts sparked our exploration into food culture here in the North East. What we discovered was inspiring. Yes, eating matters, but equally crucial is understanding the journey food takes from plot to plate. From the care of the soil to the hands that harvest, every step in the production process leaves its mark on our well-being, right down to who cooks it and who we eat it with.

Radical Recipes celebrates grassroots community projects that take food as their focus. We introduce five radical initiatives established and run by everyday people. Each one tells a story of what’s possible when people value and nurture their communities. Whether they’re connecting people and produce, creating opportunities for people to get outside, or cooking free meals to bring people together, all these projects are about enriching lives.

Radical Recipes is more than just a cookbook; it’s a testament to the remarkable potential inherent in every community. We invite you to explore, be inspired, and discover the profound impact that simple acts around food can have on individuals, families, and entire neighbourhoods.

And if you want to follow a recipe and effect change in your community, then go for it! Anything is possible.