What’s happening?
The Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) is championing healthier lifestyles through its flagship health promotion initiative, the Country Kitchens program. Backed by funding from the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, the program empowers communities across the state to make practical, healthy choices every day.
Why it matters
At its heart, Country Kitchens is not just about cooking but about education and long-term change. With a team of dietitians and nutritionists supporting QCWA members, the program helps improve food and nutrition literacy while encouraging healthier habits in homes, schools, and local groups.
Local impact
Country Kitchens is particularly vital in rural, regional, and remote Queensland. QCWA members, trained as facilitators, deliver workshops and community activities that make healthy eating accessible. These volunteers bring generations of cooking knowledge and combine it with the program’s structured PATHway training to inspire others.
By the numbers
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Country Kitchens promotes 5 key health messages: eat more fruit and vegetables, cook at home, check portion size, watch sugar in drinks, and sit less, move more.
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The program is supported by QCWA branches and supporter members statewide, bringing health promotion to grassroots communities.
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A central part of the program is a collection of healthy recipes, adapted or newly created, all carrying the Country Kitchens stamp of approval.
Zoom in
The recipes are at the core of Country Kitchens. They show Queenslanders how simple it can be to prepare healthy alternatives to everyday meals. Each recipe is carefully designed and endorsed to be both nutritious and delicious, helping families put the program’s five key messages into practice at the dinner table.
Here are two QCWA Country Kitchens-approved recipes:
Loaded Sweet Potato
Serves: 4 | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 30 min | 2 ½ serves per portion
Ingredients
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4 small sweet potatoes, washed
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2 tsp extra virgin olive oil + extra for drizzling
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1 onion, diced
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1 garlic clove, crushed
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tsp ground cumin
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½ tsp ground coriander seeds
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1 × 400g can black beans, rinsed and drained
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1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, grated
To serve:
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1 avocado, deseeded
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Juice of half a lime
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Freshly ground pepper
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Reduced fat sour cream
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Coriander leaves, roughly chopped
Method
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Preheat oven to 200°C.
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Prick sweet potatoes with a fork, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and place on a baking tray.
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Roast for 30 minutes or until soft.
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Slice in half lengthways and mash insides with a fork.
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Heat a frying pan, add oil, then fry onion, garlic, and spices for 5 minutes.
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Add black beans and heat through.
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Top potatoes with bean mixture and cheese.
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Mash avocado with lime juice and pepper to make guacamole.
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Serve with guacamole, sour cream, and coriander.
Alternative: microwave potatoes wrapped in damp paper towel for 6 minutes each until soft.
Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens team
Apple and Raspberry Overnight Oats
Serves: 4 | Prep: 10 min + chill overnight | Cook: 0 min | 1 serve per portion
Ingredients
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2 apples, grated
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2 cups frozen raspberries
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2 cups rolled oats
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½ cup slivered almonds
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2 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
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2 ½ cups reduced fat milk
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2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
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Cinnamon to taste
Method
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Combine all ingredients in a bowl or container.
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Cover and refrigerate overnight.
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Serve chilled for breakfast.
Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens team
Find more Country Kitchens recipes here
Zoom out
Country Kitchens is more than a recipe collection. It is a state-wide partnership between the QCWA and Health and Wellbeing Queensland, designed to empower women, strengthen communities, and improve wellbeing. It is also a model of how volunteer-driven programs can create real impact at the grassroots level by combining local knowledge with expert guidance.
What to look for next
With ongoing funding and support, the QCWA Country Kitchens program will continue to deliver tailored activities, training, and resources across Queensland. The aim is to grow healthier communities, one recipe and one conversation at a time.
