§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve the access to fresh fruit and vegetables to those living in areas with limited shopping facilities. [136587]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 6 November 2000]: The National Health Service Plan published in July set out our plans to increase access to fruit and vegetables and make a healthy diet a real choice for everyone. We will work with producers, retailers and others to increase provision and access to fruit and vegetables, particularly in deprived communities, schools and hospitals.
Five local five-a-day pilot initiatives are already underway in Sandwell, Somerset, Airedale and Craven, County Durham and Hastings. These projects aim to increase access to fruit and vegetables across the whole population, but all have a particular focus on improving access to fruit and vegetables for the worst off. The pilots are being carefully evaluated. Based on the lessons from these pilots, and evidence of effective interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, these local initiatives will be developed across the country.
The National School Fruit Scheme will make a free piece of fruit available to school children aged four to six each school day. Pilots will examine the practicalities of the scheme before national roll-out begins.