- More than half of people in Britain say Christmas is the main time their household cooks together
- Over 14 million people in the UK face food poverty, making festive meals harder to afford
- New recipe series highlights community work tackling hunger across the country
Wednesday 10 December, London: Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief have launched Twelve Recipes of Christmas as part of the Meals Make Memories campaign. The initiative focuses on the role food plays in creating shared moments and what can be lost when access to food is limited. The collection includes twelve affordable recipes shared by six community workers who support people facing food poverty across the UK. Each recipe uses simple ingredients and offers flexible swaps so families can cook with what they already have.
The launch follows new research showing how closely food links to Christmas memories. More than three quarters of adults in the UK say food shapes their happiest festive moments, while 68% say preparing the same dishes each year is what makes Christmas feel familiar. Traditional foods remain central, with roast turkey and mince pies topping the list.
The research also shows that 51% of households say Christmas is the main time they cook together. The same number say they still prepare at least one recipe passed down through their family. These habits underline how shared meals help create memories many people value.
For the 14 million people experiencing food insecurity in the UK, these traditions are often harder to maintain. During the festive period, added costs such as gifts and energy bills can force families to choose between heating their home and buying food.
To help make festive cooking more accessible, each recipe includes guidance and alternatives to suit different budgets and diets. This responds to growing demand for affordable recipes, with nearly half of people saying they look for flexible meal ideas to manage costs.
The recipe series also recognises the work of food redistribution charities, including FareShare and City Harvest. Through joint funding from Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief, these charities will distribute the equivalent of more than five million meals this Christmas. The support helps community groups reach people facing hunger during the winter months.
The contributors share recipes drawn from their own experience of supporting communities during difficult times. These include a Coca-Cola Ham recipe from City Harvest driver Shelaine and a traditional Jamaican Christmas dish of Curry Goat or Brown Stew Chicken from Pam, the charity’s longest-serving volunteer.
Alongside the recipes, Sainsbury’s is offering further ways for customers to support the campaign. These include watching a festive episode of the A Recipe For… vodcast, hosted by Si King, featuring Shirley Ballas, which launches on 16 December. Customers can also support Comic Relief by purchasing selected mince pies, with all proceeds donated during December, or by donating online or through Nectar.
Ruth Cranston, Director of Sustainability at Sainsbury’s, commented: “Food has a unique power to connect us and create lasting memories. For the millions facing food poverty, those moments can be harder to reach. At Sainsbury’s, we believe good food should be available to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. This Christmas, we’re proud to share these recipes that prove creativity and community spirit can bring warmth and connection to the table. Throughout December we’re also making it easier for our customers to get involved by donating every penny of by Sainsbury’s and Free From mince pies directly to Comic Relief – supporting this vital mission to ensure everyone can experience the joy of good food.”
Samir Patel, CEO of Comic Relief, said: “For some of us, food and mealtimes sit at the heart of our happiest moments, but for so many across the UK they remain the source of enormous worry. Comic Relief’s partnership with Sainsbury’s is focused on ensuring that no one has to make difficult choices when it comes to feeding themselves or their family, and that everyone can experience the comfort and connection often associated with good food. This festive season, we’re delighted to be sharing these delicious recipes from six dedicated community workers, who work around the clock to support people facing food poverty. We hope these recipes will help spread a little joy this winter, while sparking urgent conversations around food insecurity and our ambition of giving more people access to the positive memories that meals can bring.”
The recipes form part of Sainsbury’s wider partnership with Comic Relief, which aims to reduce food poverty and improve access to shared meals. Since 2022, the programme has funded more than 59 million meals through over £24 million in support.
The full collection of twelve recipes is available online through Sainsbury’s website, where customers can also learn more about how the campaign supports communities during the festive season.