Step up to the plate '¨to beat holiday hunger

A Leith butcher and a storytelling cook have joined forces in the battle to save school kids in the Capital from holiday hunger.
John Anderson, of Anderson the Butchers, Great Junction Street, Leith.John Anderson, of Anderson the Butchers, Great Junction Street, Leith.
John Anderson, of Anderson the Butchers, Great Junction Street, Leith.

Armed with Scotland’s best steak pies – and with Mrs Mash as his ally – independent shop owner John Anderson will be helping to provide nourishing lunches for families feeling the pinch over the long summer break.

Also known as Marie Louise Cochrane, performer Mrs Mash is part of the Food Lore Community Interest Company, a social enterprise with a mission to use stories, songs and food activities to help people enjoy good food and the benefits of eating well for health.

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Supported by Anderson the Butchers and Edinburgh’s library staff she is now running a programme of free activities and lunches throughout the school holidays.

The shop, at 51 Great Junction Street, initially agreed to donate 20p to the cause from every award-winning steak pie sold in July, and has now extended the promotion to include all its pies. It has even created special labels and posters to encourage its customers to get behind the initiative.

It follows the success of their last collaboration with Mrs Mash, “Hey Mr Butcher”, a fun YouTube video celebrating haggis, pies, bridies, black pudding and all things butchery.

Marie Louise is delighted to have the support of Andersons, which was crowned Scottish Craft Butchers Steak Pie Champion in September last year, when the “crumbly crust” and perfect “steak to gravy ratio” sealed the deal with judges.

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“The donations will be used to buy food for food activities for families in libraries and other venues across the city,” she said.

“It highlights the terrible fact that for many reasons in 2018 there are families in Edinburgh who cannot manage to cover their living costs and eat well. The holidays can make things worse.”

Have lunch with Mrs Mash and hear her stories at Moredun Library on July 21, July 28 and August 4 or visit www.mrsmash.com for more information.