Yesterday, our new CEO, Corin Bell, gave oral evidence to the Health and Social Care Select Committee during its inquiry into Food and Weight Management.
We were delighted to be invited to the House of Commons by the committee, reflecting the growing recognition of our expertise, commitment and impact in tackling food inequality and improving access to healthy food.
The session focused on how people living on low incomes can access affordable, healthy food. MPs asked how community projects like ours can be scaled up, how councils can support local healthy food initiatives and what challenges and opportunities exist in building fairer food systems.
Corin spoke alongside Anna Taylor, CEO of the Food Foundation. Together, they discussed the affordability gap between healthy and unhealthy food.
In her evidence, Corin said:
“Alexandra Rose is not just a voucher scheme, it’s a scheme that moves into an area and does everything from creating extra touchpoints with community centres so that people can find out about Healthy Start and be registered for it, right through to supporting local, independent, healthy food businesses. It’s how we structurally change how the food environment is presented in these communities, so that [fresh fruit & veg] is affordable and accessible to people who have been disadvantaged for decades.”
The Committee will use this evidence to shape recommendations for the government. The report will build on the House of Lords’ obesity report, led by Baroness Walmsley, and will suggest practical solutions for a healthier, fairer food system.