If you're pregnant or have children under age four, you may be eligible for Healthy Start vouchers to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and milk at your local supermarket.
But despite the value of Healthy Start vouchers being boosted as part of Marcus Rashford's #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY campaign, nearly 4 in 10 of those eligible aren't signed up to the scheme. That means nearly £900K of food vouchers each week aren't reaching those that need them most.
Take action to end child food poverty now by finding out how much low-income families in your area are missing out on – and what you can do to help.
Data available for England, Northern Ireland and Wales only.
You live in
In your area only
of Healthy Start vouchers are claimed
That means every week
worth of healthy food doesn't reach those who need it
In your local area, pregnant people and children are entitled to Healthy Start vouchers, but the take-up rate is only . That means in your area, at least worth of vouchers for fresh fruit, vegetables and milk go unclaimed every week.
One of the easiest ways to help the appalling number of young children going to bed hungry would be to ensure they're accessing the free healthy food they're already entitled to. That's why we've been working with local councils and health bodies to help them promote the scheme and make more families aware of the vouchers – and since we started, we've seen take-up rates increase in every area.
But too many families are still missing out and going hungry. So will you take action now, and ask your local authority to aim for a 100% take-up rate of Healthy Start vouchers and do more to promote the scheme to eligible families?Any questions, comments or feedback? Let us know at mail@foodjusticefinder.com.
Your local council is [council name].
Councils, with their direct connection to their local communities, can have a transformative effect in promoting Healthy Start. Many councils around the country have already done brilliant work to promote the scheme, but we need every council in England and Wales to be working towards 100% uptake.
Will you email your council leader now to share the stats on Healthy Start in your area, and provide easy suggestions on how they can promote the scheme? We have already provided a short pre-written email, which you can edit if you wish!
Will you email the Minister of Health now to share the stats on Healthy Start in your area, and provide easy suggestions on how they can promote the scheme? We have already provided a short pre-written email, which you can edit if you wish!
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