Healthy Start for Bexhill PCT

"Healthy Start" is a national initiative which will allow vouchers to be swapped for fresh milk, infant formula milk and fresh fruit and vegetables at a wide range of retailers.

This replaces the current system, which has been in place since the 1940s,

where tokens could be swapped only for milk at either baby clinics or with the milkman.

The new vouchers are available for families who are expecting a baby and/or have a child under four and:

'¢ get income support

'¢ get income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

'¢ get Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual family income below 14,155

Or, for anyone who is pregnant and under 18 years of age.

The vouchers are worth 2.80 per week and for the first year of a baby's life, families will receive double, totalling 5.60 per week.

Families who already receive tokens through the Welfare Food Scheme will be automatically transferred and will receive "Healthy Start" vouchers through the post. Anyone who does not receive tokens but believes they are eligible to do so should speak to their midwife or health visitor, who will advise them on filling in the application form.

Many local supermarkets and smaller stores are taking part in the scheme, and will have the "Healthy Start" logo on display (see below). The Community Fruit and Veg Project in Hastings (telephone no. 01424 201137) will also take vouchers on their stalls, bags and box schemes.

Helen Wolstenholme, Health Promotion Adviser for Children and Families for the PCT, said: "This is fantastic news for families in Hastings and Rother. Healthy Start allows eligible families to buy a much wider range of produce in local shops. This supports a healthy diet in pregnancy, offers better benefits for breastfeeding mums and enables parents to wean their babies onto a diet rich in fruit and vegetables."

For more information, together with tips on healthy eating and lots of recipes, visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk