Scheme encourages healthy eating

Healthy eating scheme hits the Moorlands

Staffordshire's Community Watchdogs are on a mission to encourage retailers throughout the county to participate in a scheme which aims to improve the quality of the diet of pregnant mothers.

During July the focus will be on the Staffordshire Moorlands.

The Healthy Start Scheme is a Department of Health initiative which was introduced in 2006 for low income and teenage parents to replace the previous Welfare Food Scheme. Each eligible member of a family receives one or two vouchers per week worth £3 each which can then be used to buy fresh milk, fresh fruit and vegetables or infant formula milk in stores which have registered to accept them. 

Staffordshire County Council is keen to work with the Department of Health to encourage as many retailers as possible in the Moorlands and Staffordshire as a whole to participate in the scheme and will be doing this with the help of their Community Watchdogs.  As of January 2008, only half the retailers in Staffordshire who could, were registered to accept the Healthy Start vouchers with a particularly low participation rate from greengrocers, markets and petrol station shops.

County Councillor Susan Woodward, Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities and Older People said: "It is important that we get the message out there that any retailer who sells fresh milk, fresh fruit and vegetables or infant formula milk can participate in this scheme.

"This Department of Health initiative is essential in helping families who are at greatest risk of poor health to have a more balanced diet, which could have an impact on the development of their unborn chid as well as the longer term health of their children and themselves.

She added: "Our Community Watchdogs already have strong local links and play an active part in keeping their local communities informed so it's great that we can build on this by asking them to help with this important initiative and encourage participation in the scheme from local retailers.

"If there are any retailers in the Staffordshire Moorlands or the rest of the county who are interested in participating in the scheme they can call the Healthy Start Reimbursement Unit on 08707 201 668, week days between 8.45am and 5.15pm for more information.  Also, any families who think that they may be eligible to be part of this scheme if they are not already should talk to their midwife or health visitor.  They can also call the Healthy Start helpline on 0845 607 6823."

Page Last Modified: 02/07/2008 10:13:48

Back to top