We’re honoured to have our work held up as an example of good practice by Henry Dimbleby, author of The National Food Strategy and former Lead Non-Executive Director at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, at the recent House of Lords, Food, Diet and Obesity Committee.
In response to a question asking which food policies Mr Dimbleby would advise an incoming government to enact, he chose to highlight our Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Project, saying; “I would do that tomorrow. That in-kind, direct support.”
“The people who get it [Rose Vouchers] absolutely love it because there is something about being given fruit… and saying, ‘I can put a fruit bowl on the table for my children without looking at it going I’ve wasted money’.”
Over the last 10 years we have helped over 10,500 families around the UK afford fresh fruit and veg for their children against a backdrop of increasing food prices and food poverty. The evidence to support our approach is clear. With Rose Vouchers:
- fruit and veg intake improves by an average of three portions a day
- 64% of children now eat at least five portions of fruit & veg a day, up from just 7%
- 55% of parents now eat at least five portions of fruit & veg a day, up from just 15%
- children cultivate a lasting preference for fruit and vegetables and resistance to unhealthy options through palate training, and they get more involved in helping to cook family meals.
We are incredibly grateful to Henry Dimbleby for his ongoing support of our work.