Launch of fruit and veg vouchers to tackle childhood obesity
25 May 2018
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2
min read
Rosa Vaquero
Head of Communications
Rose vouchers make fresh produce more affordable
Last week, the East Street Market in Southwark served as the backdrop for the launch of a new scheme to help families access more fruit and vegetables
Run by Alexandra Rose Charity, the Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg give families on low incomes the opportunity to buy healthier produce from their local market.
Eligible families can get paper vouchers from local children’s centres and redeem them for fresh fruit and vegetables at any of the participating traders at East Street Market.
Through the project, we are looking to support up to 250 families over the next two years and put over £80,000 into the local economy.
The goal of the scheme is to see how different initiatives working together can promote healthier diets and more physical activity to help tackle the problem of childhood obesity.
We know childhood obesity is a complex problem that hits families with the lowest incomes the hardest. We’re working with partners in the Faraday ward to layer up solutions that can make a real impact and help lower rates here.
Sarah HickeyProgramme Director for children's health and food
Faraday ward neighbourhood scheme
Visitors to the market also got a taste of the other initiatives taking part in the Faraday Ward neighbourhood project so far:
People were invited to sign up to Bags of Taste‘s free cooking lessons
Families could speak with School Food Matters about how they are improving food provision in schools
Sustrans discussed their work making walking and cycling easier in the area
Burgess Sports encouraged families and young people to join their locally run sports activities
Everyone should have access to affordable and healthy food in their local area. What is most exciting about this project is to see how, when delivered in tandem with a range of other initiatives, we can play a crucial part in shifting the dial on childhood obesity.
Jonathan PaulingChief Executive of Alexandra Rose Charity
