Disadvantaged toddlers in the south-west will soon be able to tuck into free fruit and vegetables as part of a new government scheme.
Parents of youngsters in Devon and Cornwall will be able to claim free fresh produce when the first phase of the new Healthy Start initiative is launched, health minister Melanie Johnson has announced.
The scheme will replace the previous Welfare Food Scheme, which was first brought in to combat food shortages during the Second World War.
Under Healthy Start, parents will get vouchers for a specific value, which can then be used to buy fruit or vegetables and milk in a wide range of shops.
Melanie Johnson, speaking at the launch of new Healthy Living Centre near Exeter, said: “Poor nutrition in pregnancy and early years can have a significant impact on health in later childhood.
“Our aim in revising this scheme is to make it the kind of scheme that pregnant women and families participating in it want it to be. This means it has to offer people much greater choice and flexibility, and support them to make healthy lifestyle choices whilst respecting their rights to make decisions".
A consultation document launched today sets out the detail of the scheme.
When the consultation period has ended, the scheme will be rolled out in two phases with the first phase taking place in Devon and Cornwall and a national rollout happening in early 2006.
When fully introduced, the scheme is estimated to reach around 800,000 people.
Parents on low incomes will be eligible for the vouchers, which will be worth at least £5.60 per week for families with children aged between 0 and one year old, and at least £2.80 per week to families with children aged over one year old.
In addition, all pregnant women under the age of 18 will be eligible for the scheme, regardless of family income.
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