In November 2022, we launched the UK’s first large-scale pilots of ‘Fruit & Veg on Prescription’, working with GP’s and social prescribers at the Bromley by Bow Centre in Tower Hamlets and community health practitioners at the AT Beacon Project in Lambeth. To date, almost 200 people experiencing food poverty and food-related ill health have been prescribed vouchers to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables in their local communities.
Our results show that the pilots have had a profound impact on dietary and health inequalities, whilst restoring community pride and a vibrant local food economy. Our topline results include:
- 80% of participants now eating five-a-day.
- 9 in 10 experiencing improved health and wellbeing.
- 7 in 10 experiencing significant reductions in blood pressure as recorded by GPs and nurses.
- 40% reduction in GP visits.
- £222k invested in the local economy since the project began.
We are calling on the Government to press forward with their existing commitment to pilot a three-year ‘Community Eatwell’ Programme based upon our Fruit & Veg on Prescription model, as recommended in the 2021 National Food Strategy and promised in the 2022 Levelling Up White Paper.
Read the full report below.