COMMUNITIES across Glasgow are working hard to encourage people to eat healthily.

By growing and harvesting their own fruit and vegetables, more and more people are beating food poverty and living healthier lives.

Ten social enterprises dedicated to doing just that will be showcased at Let’s Eat Glasgow! Food festival which takes place in SWG3 in Finnieston on September 3 and 4.

The fiesta of food is staged by the not-for-profit Real Food, Real Folk co-operative of top Glasgow restaurants – Cail Bruich, Crabshakk, Guy’s Restaurant, Mother India, Ox and Finch, Stravaigin, The Gannet and Ubiquitous Chip.

The ten groups – double the number taking part in last year’s sell-out launch event – include Evening Times Streets Ahead campaign awards winners Shettleston Community Growing Project, which helps locals grow their own food; Freedom Bakery, which helps inmates at Low Moss prison learn artisan baking skills; Urban Edge, who are creating a growing and recreational hub for surrounding communities at the former plant nursery at Daldowie; and Moogety Grubhub in Govan, which tackles food poverty through a range of community-led projects such as cookery classes and gardening courses,

Entry to Let’s Eat Glasgow is free – find out more at www.letseatglasgow.co.uk

Don’t miss the Evening Times Eat Better Feel Better column every Thursday. As well as providing recipes for healthy, balanced dishes that can be made at home, we’ll be including tips on how to save money and get the kids involved in cooking. Discover more online at eatbetterfeelbetter.co.uk and eveningtimes.co.uk.

This week, in honour of the Great British Bake Off returning to our screens tonight, we feature a classic – Banana Bread.

Banana Bread

Ready in 55 mins

Serves 8, costs less than £1

Ingredients

3 Bananas, Medium Sized (300g)

2 Tablespoons Low Fat Spread (30g)

3 Tablespoons Sugar (30g)

1 Egg

6 Tablespoons Plain Flour (120g)

2 Tablespoons Wholemeal Flour (40g)

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder (8g)

3 Tablespoons Sultanas (90g)

Method

Turn oven on to 190oC / 170oC fan oven / 375oF / gas mark 5.

Using a spoon, mix the low fat spread and sugar together in a large bowl for about 2 minutes.

Add the egg and mix it all together. Gradually add sifted flour and baking powder whilst continuing to mix until a smooth consistency is reached.

Mash bananas and stir into mixture along with the sultanas.

Transfer mixture to a loaf tin lined with greaseproof (baking) paper and bake in oven for approximately 35-40 minutes until risen and golden brown.

Once cooled slice and serve.

Tips for Kids: Let the kids get involved with the mashing and mixing - they'll love it.