Free Fruit And Veg For Toddlers
A new scheme that will see hundreds of thousands of parents receive vouchers for free fruit and vegetables has been hailed as ‘a great example of the difference a Labour Government can make to local people’s lives’ by Bootle MP Joe Benton.
The move, announced by Health Secretary John Reid, is aimed at improving nutritional balance among young children in poorer families. The scheme is part of a new drive to encourage lifelong healthy eating habits and tackle obesity. It's estimated that in total up to 800,000 people will benefit from the scheme.
Joe Benton MP heralded the new scheme, saying:
“This scheme will help support some of the poorest pregnant women and families in Bootle. Young children need a good diet to ensure their development and this is why we are making these vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables available.
“By starting children off in life with a healthy lifestyle they are far more likely to remain healthy in later life. As a Labour MP I am proud that this Government is offering to this kind of help to our poorest families and most vulnerable children. This scheme will make a real difference to local people’s lives.”
The changes come under reforms to the Welfare Food Scheme. Currently, parents eligible for the scheme only receive tokens for liquid milk and infant formula milk. The tokens will be replaced with weekly vouchers that can be used to buy fresh produce as well as milk.
Qualification for the scheme is based on factors such as low income or receipt of tax credits. The vouchers will be worth at least £2.80 per week to families with children aged over one year old.
Families with children aged between 0 and one year old will receive vouchers worth at least £5.60 per week.
All pregnant women under the age of 18 will also be eligible for the scheme, regardless of family income.
Last week a report by doctors classed 9 per cent of children aged between two and four years old as obese.
Health Secretary John Reid said:
"The Government is committed to tackling the rise in obesity.
"Although I believe it's not the Government's role to lecture people how to live their lives, it is our responsibility to provide the means for them and their families to follow a healthier lifestyle.
"The best way of tackling obesity is through encouraging a healthy diet at an early age. These changes mean that pregnant women, nursing mothers and younger children already benefiting from the scheme will in future have a greater choice of healthy eating options, so reducing the chances of obesity."
Vouchers will be exchangeable in a wide range of participating retail outlets, which could include milkmen, greengrocers, retail pharmacies, community food initiatives as well as supermarkets and other general grocery outlets.
The changes will be phased in from the end of the year.
Reforms to the Welfare Food Scheme also mean that children in nursery will be offered a choice of milk or fruit, instead of just milk as currently happens.
