Alexandra Rose is proud to partner with Community Shop to expand the reach of our award-winning Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Project in Barnsley. Together, we’re making high-quality produce affordable for families in areas with limited access to healthy food.
Taking Healthy Food Where It’s Needed Most
Through this partnership, families can now spend their Rose Vouchers at Community Shop’s On the Go pop-up shop. This mobile service delivers fresh fruit and vegetables directly to neighbourhoods described as food deserts, where traditional food markets are scarce.
Jonathan Pauling, Chief Executive of Alexandra Rose, said:
“This partnership marks a really exciting next step in our mission to make fresh fruit and veg accessible to all. Community Shop ‘On the Go’ brings nutritious produce directly to communities where access is limited, without compromising on quality. This is a smart, locally-driven solution that reflects the kind of innovation we need more of in public health.”
Building on Strong Local Roots
Barnsley has been part of the Rose Vouchers scheme since 2016, chosen from a competitive pool of applicants. Barnsley Council funds the scheme, now integrated into the borough’s new Family Hubs. A recent council audit of Healthy Start voucher uptake identified areas of greatest need, shaping where the On the Go service now operates.
Currently, around 230 families receive Rose Vouchers in Barnsley. They spend them with independent traders like Smith’s Fruit & Veg on Wombwell High Street and the Glass Works undercover market in Barnsley town centre. Families also join weekly Family Hub workshops, covering topics such as oral health and seasonal vegetable recipes.
More Choice for Families
Matthew Coley, Head of Community Retail for Community Shop, commented:
“Our goal is to help people access high quality, affordable food and we’re delighted to accept Rose Vouchers at Community Shop ‘On the Go’. People visiting our pop-up shop will be able use the vouchers to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as everyday essentials.”
Ashleigh Hall, Project Coordinator for Barnsley, Liverpool and Glasgow at Alexandra Rose said:
“This partnership with Community Shop has been a long time in the making, so it’s really exciting to see it come to life. We’ve been looking for a practical way to improve access to high-quality fruit and veg within communities where options are limited, and this mobile model is a fantastic solution.”
The partnership supports the aims of Good Food Barnsley and Barnsley Council’s objectives to improve diet-related health and food equity. It also builds on the success of similar place-based projects, such as our work with Queen of Greens in Liverpool.
Our goal is to reach an additional 100 families eligible for the Healthy Start scheme, while ensuring the On the Go service can meet growing demand.
Jonathan concluded:
“This is about more than food, it’s about giving people a choice of high quality fresh produce, access that suits this particular geography and support for the local economy,” said Pauling. “We’re excited to see what’s possible when charities, local authorities, and social enterprises come together around a shared mission.”