Lambeth’s pioneering scheme offering free fruit and vegetables on prescription to residents with health needs such as high blood pressure is to be featured on a national BBC radio programme.
The pilot scheme evaluating the benefits of making healthy eating easier for vulnerable adults will be part of Radio 4’s Food Programme on October 22. The BBC interviewed Cllr Jim Dickson and Dr Bimpe Oki, Public Health Consultant, with quotes from local health practitioners and market traders providing fruit and vegetables.
For more than 10 years, Lambeth Council has worked with the Alexandra Rose Charity to help expectant mums and parents with new babies get a healthy start with weekly vouchers to put more fruit and veg into their diet. This year-long project sets out to prove similar approaches can help adults.
Each person prescribed Rose Vouchers – people on low incomes at risk of, or already with high blood pressure – gets £8 per week in vouchers, plus £2 for each family member. They can spend their vouchers on any fruit and veg they choose.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Jim Dickson, Lambeth Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities, said: “Lambeth Council work with grassroots organisations to find ways of making early health interventions.
“We’d love to combine this prescription fruit and veg scheme with Lambeth’s other cost of living support.”
More information
- For more about the Prescription Fruit and Veg year-long pilot scheme
- For more about Alexandra Rose food vouchers
