A new Ealing-based initiative is bringing together residents, health services and community groups to explore how traditional diets can be adapted to be both healthier and more environmentally sustainable.
The Planetary Foods and Cultural Competence Project, led locally by the Healthier Lifestyle Service at West London NHS Trust and supported by Ealing Council and the Ealing Food Partnership, aims to develop a community-led cookbook rooted in the borough’s diverse food cultures. The project is based on the “planetary health” diet, which encourages more wholegrains, fruit, vegetables and nuts, alongside reduced consumption of meat and dairy.
Organisers say the approach could help tackle long-term conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are linked to diet and are more prevalent in deprived communities.
Rosanna Jones, health improvement practitioner at West London NHS Trust, said: “At West London, we’re working with communities in Ealing to ensure that cultural food heritage and sustainable, culturally relevant, health-promoting diets can exist side by side.”
Abbie, from the Ealing Food Partnership, added: “We want everyone in Ealing to know that eating sustainably doesn’t mean giving up your traditional recipes. You can keep your cultural traditions and simply adapt them to be healthier for you and better for the planet. Our goal is to make sure our communities have the tools to improve their health, support our local farmers, and protect the environment.”
Residents have taken part in focus groups and co-design workshops with the University of West London, helping shape recipes and guidance.
A mid-project event, Planetary Health in Action, held on Monday (27 April 2026) at Ealing’s West London University, showcased early learning, highlighting the importance of cultural competence in community health, and inviting new partners to get involved.
