The Alexandra Rose Foundation

https://youtu.be/sZ6E6bBsXPI Alexandra Rose Foundation - Fruit and Veg Vouchers for Low Income Families This was my introduction to this fantastic charity, that I'm so excited to be starting some really exciting work with. I spent the day at Brixton market seeing the huge difference these Fruit and Vegetable vouchers made to so many families. This lovely Mum told me she never gave her little daughter fresh anything before finding out about the vouchers as she couldn't afford to. But now it's all changed. Watch this little vid and just think how much difference a few pounds could make to these families. Your money will directly translate to their kids' fresh food. It's as simple as that. Childhood obesity is rising at a terrifying rate, and lack of real, whole foods due to low incomes is one of the HUGE reasons. Any amount from you would make such a huge difference to them. It's so heart-breaking to think how many small children growing up so nearby that just don't have the chance to eat basic staples like these.

£12.40 is enough vouchers to keep a mother and child in fresh fruit and vegetables from her local market for a whole month.

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There are so many children's charities around and I wanted to find one that I could really make a difference to. As often seems to happen, the amazing people at the Alexandra Rose Foundation suddenly appeared, and asked me if I would work with them. When I found out the incredible and life-changing work they do to get fresh fruit and vegetables to families that would not otherwise be able to afford it, I couldn't wait to get started. Currently working in Brixton market, their Vouchers are given to low income families, who can then exchange them for fresh fruit and vegetables at the market. Here is some more info from the Foundation: Introducing: The Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Project

• Tackling food poverty and supporting healthy eating
• Giving families the spending power and skills for a healthy start
• Supporting local markets

The Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Project helps parents with young children on low incomes to buy fresh fruit and vegetables while developing the skills and confidence to give their families the healthiest start. Rose Vouchers are worth £3 per child every week (double if the child is under one year of age). Vouchers can only be redeemed at markets that sell fresh fruit and vegetables. This means that the project not only helps young families but also supports local markets - maintaining their position as sources of healthy low-cost food in areas that often suffer from poor food access. By locating the Rose Vouchers registration and distribution at children’s centres the scheme also supports participants’ engagement with existing activities focused on health and wellbeing. Why we do it Evidence suggests that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life from conception to age two are the most important in setting their future life chances. In England almost one in three primary-aged children are either overweight or obese. A lot of focus has been put on the food that children eat in school, but by the time they reach primary school age it is often too late. By then one in 10 are already obese and many more have lifestyles that will see obesity develop before they leave primary school. At the same time food bank use has skyrocketed. The Trussell Trust gave out over 500,000 emergency food parcels in the first six months of 2016. The highest number they have ever recorded. Over 188,000 of these were to households with children. The United Nations has estimated that 8.4 million people in the UK suffer from food insecurity. According to Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at London’s City University “Food poverty means worse diet, worse access, worse health... Above all food poverty is about less or almost no consumption of fruit and vegetables.” Families who have participated in the Rose Voucher project have reported: 94% of families increasing fruit & veg intake 100% feeling healthier & happier 79% eating less takeaway & fast food 74% eating less sweet & savoury snacks 68% cooking from scratch more Use of Children’s Centres increased by 76% for parents & 81% for children “Before I joined the Rose Vouchers scheme, I didn’t have that much vegetables. I would see them, and want to get them, but can’t afford them. Now because of the Rose Vouchers, I can get fresh vegetables, I can get fresh fruit.” “I used to give them baby snacks. Now I buy fruit & veg – they love it”