Newham NHS trial offers fruit & veg vouchers to low-income patients with health conditions, aiming to boost wellbeing and support local markets.
Newham residents are to be prescribed fruit and vegetables as part of an NHS trial and backed by Newham Council.
Patients with certain health conditions will be offered vouchers to purchase healthy food as part of their treatment.
The scheme is being delivered in partnership with Alexandra Rose, the organisation behind the Fruit & Veg on Prescription model already operating in Tower Hamlets and Lambeth.
The charity has been supporting communities to access fresh, affordable food for more than a decade through projects that work with local markets and greengrocers.
The launch in Newham follows strong evidence from the neighbouring borough of Tower Hamlets, where the same scheme has:
- Delivered a 15% reduction in self-reported GP visits
- Improved physical health for 8 in 10 participants
- Seen 54% reporting better mental health
- Increased the proportion of people meeting their 5 a day from 32% to 78%
- Reduced the number of people skipping meals from 80% to 30% over nine months
These results show how food-based social prescribing can reduce pressure on NHS services, improve quality of life and support community wealth by directing spending to local, independent traders.
A typical Newham family would have to spend between 50% and 74% of weekly income on food to follow national healthy eating guidance
Ninety Newham residents with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes who are also living on universal credit or low income, or who are unemployed or have been referred to a food bank, will take part in the pilot.
Under the scheme, participants will receive £6 a week plus £2 for every extra household member in the form of vouchers for fresh fruit and veg. They can spend their vouchers at participating greengrocers at Queens Market, in Green Street, and East Ham.
Rita Chadha, Newham Council’s Cabinet member for Health and Adult Social Care, welcomed the trial saying it showed the success of the Well Newham strategy in working with key partners.
She said: “The ongoing cost of living crisis is seeing the price of foods like fruit and vegetables rocket in the past four years. People have been priced out of healthy options.
“That has a terrible effect not only on worsening health conditions but causing long-term underlying health problems in healthy people.
“We don’t want see people not be able to make a change in their lifestyle and diet because of financial constraints.
“This is about giving people access to making the right choices, which in the long run will save the NHS and other services money.”
She added, the project would play a major part in Newham’s 50 Steps to a Healthier Borough by creating a healthier food environment.
Corin Bell, CEO of Alexandra Rose said: “Our projects clearly demonstrate that communities want to eat good food, but many people in Newham just don’t have the option available to them. Removing the barriers of affordability and accessibility is the most important thing we can do right now.”
“Our model focuses on health, dignity and choice, and we’re proud to be working with Newham Council to bring the Alexandra Rose model to more people. By giving residents, the spending power to buy fresh fruit and veg in their own neighbourhoods, we’re not only supporting better health outcomes but helping to sustain vital local markets.”
Patients will collect Rose Vouchers from libraries in Green Street, East Ham and Plaistow. The libraries will also run monthly workshops held to help support their wellbeing and journey on the project. They will cover topics from healthy eating, diabetes management, to money and debt advice.
If you would like any more information, please visit Newham Co-Create or email peoplepoweredplaces@newham.gov.uk.
