In partnership with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Bromley by Bow Centre and Health Partnership, Alexandra Rose Charity has launched a 12-month pilot of fruit and veg on prescription. The Tower Hamlets Rose Vouchers for Fruit and Veg on Prescription Project will prescribe free vouchers for fruit and veg to support individuals to access a healthy diet.
The project will support people on low incomes with long-term health conditions affected by diet in the north-east of the borough, to access fresh fruit and veg in their local community.
Each person prescribed Rose Vouchers will receive £6 per week in vouchers, plus £2 per week for each household member alongside support to help them get the maximum benefit from the vouchers.
Participants can spend their Rose Vouchers on the fruit and veg of their choice at grocery stores on Roman Road, as well as with retailers on Roman Road and Chrisp Street Market.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, and now the cost of living crisis, has exacerbated the underlying issue of food insecurity experienced by many families and residents in Tower Hamlets. This project is part of our Healthy Boroughs Programme, which aims to develop community-led schemes to address challenges around food and nutrition insecurity across the borough.
We are excited to work in partnership with Alexandra Rose Charity and the Bromley by Bow Centre on this pilot project. By increasing access to affordable healthy food, we can support residents to live healthier, more fulfilling lives”
Cllr Gulam Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care at Tower Hamlets Council
This pilot intervention forms part of the Communities First Healthy Boroughs Programme, led by the Public Health Division at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.