Input from the fresh produce trade has persuaded government to extend its milk welfare scheme to include fresh produce in a major new initiative launched on Monday to low-income families nation-wide.
Healthy Start has been piloted successfully in Devon and Cornwall over the last 12 months, targeting children aged under four and pregnant women in low-income families, and all pregnant under 18s.
The scheme issues vouchers that can be exchanged for milk, infant formula and fresh fruit and vegetables. It replaces the Welfare Food scheme, which gave only milk and infant formula to families.
For the first time all pregnant teenagers - a group known to be nutritionally vulnerable and at risk of having babies with a low birth weight - will benefit. The scheme aims to improve nutrition, give children the best start in life and reduce health inequalities.
“We responded to government consultation on Welfare Food 18 months ago, arguing that it was a good idea, but should be extended to include fresh produce and that it should be available from the broadest range of outlets,” said Nigel Jenney, ceo of the Fresh Produce Consortium. “Following the consultation, it is fantastic that the government has responded to our ideas.”
Jenney is encouraging all retailers to look into the scheme. “Any outlet that sells these products already can apply to adopt the scheme,” he said. “The process is not bureaucratic, and we would certainly encourage all independents to apply via the Healthy Start website.”
The launch has also been praised by Christine Fisher of Greengrocers’s Campaigner, which was involved in the Devon and Cornwall pilot on behalf of independent retailers. “We are very pleased that this scheme has gone national as it will make a difference to our membership,” she said. “I think it will be a fillip to greengrocers - if you are hard up, you can get a bag of produce and the makings of a meal for a lot less than in the supermarkets and with far less packaging. It is all good stuff.”
Fisher is also encouraging her membership to contact their local MP and point out the need for support for greengrocers in the role they can play in the fight against obesity.
Public health minister Caroline Flint said at Monday’s Healthy Start launch: “Poor diet can have a real impact on people’s health. We want people to have the best possible opportunity to eat healthily.”
The new vouchers are worth £2.80 each and infants under one year old receive two a week, while pregnant women and children aged one to four receive one.
Around 20,000 individual retailers across the UK have already signed up to participate in Healthy Start, including box schemes, greengrocers and markets.
Meanwhile, Defra secretary David Miliband launched the Year of Food & Farming on Wednesday to give every English schoolchild the chance to find out how food is produced and how this links with healthy eating.
The year will run from September 2007 and is being backed by growers’ representatives, especially as the campaign will also look at how local food producers can supply into schools and other public services.
No comments yet