The Countryside Kitchen, the flagship project of not-for-profit social enterprise No Fuss Meals for Busy Parents CIC, is celebrating a highly successful first six months since opening its doors – supporting 350 children, vulnerable adults and community members through hands-on food, farming and wellbeing education.
Launched in July 2025, The Countryside Kitchen provides immersive Grow, Cook, Eat, Discover! experiences on a working farm in Yelvertoft. In just half a year, it has welcomed school groups from Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire, uniformed youth groups, home-educating families, NHS social prescribing referrals, and vulnerable adults supported through community organisations including Spectrum and The Doddridge Centre.
Alongside education and wellbeing sessions, the project has delivered tangible local benefits, including a seven-day-a-week honesty shop, a medical recycling point, and a bleed control station, responding directly to rural community needs.
Since becoming a registered CIC in April 2023, No Fuss Meals For Busy Parents CIC has developed innovative programmes and resources to help busy parents and community members access practical cooking skills, nutrition education and wellbeing support. The organisation has received funding from sources including the National Lottery, Potato Foundation, Royal Society of Chemistry, and has the support of HRH The Princess Royal and Raymond Blanc OBE.
Founder and Director Milly Fyfe said: “We opened The Countryside Kitchen to reconnect people with food, nature and each other. The response in just six months has exceeded anything we imagined. The stories people have shared with us, often unexpectedly, show the transformational power of this work.”
The newly published Social Impact Report 2025 captures the depth of this impact, including heartfelt feedback such as: “I’ve never left the town before – it’s wonderful to be in open, green space” and “Thank you for cooking me a meal. It’s the first time in 50 years someone has done that for me.”
The report also highlights strong partnerships with organisations across health, education, sustainability and business, and sets out ambitious plans for 2026 including increasing reach to more than 1,000 beneficiaries, expanding access for disadvantaged and rural- isolated communities, and developing bespoke curriculum-linked school workshops.
The Countryside Kitchen is supported by a wide range of funders, partners and volunteers and is already being recognised as a growing community asset for the region.
Milly added: “We are particularly interested to hear from businesses who would like to support our ongoing work, and to school and alternative provisions who would like to attend our fully funded workshops.”
Read the full Social Impact Report 2025 here and for more information on The Countryside Kitchen, visit the website. Alternatively, email us at contact@thecountrysidekitchen.co.uk
