HC Deb 19 December 2002 vol 396 c1042W
Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community five-a-day initiatives have been established since the five pilot sites reported. [84014]

Ms Blears

The five-a-day local community initiatives aim to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables by improving access and availability. Following the five pilot initiatives, there will be 66 new five-a-day local community initiatives, based in the most deprived areas of England, supported by the new opportunities fund. Grants for the first four initiatives have been awarded and grants for the other initiatives are currently under consideration. The majority of these programmes should be starting up from spring 2003.

In addition, initiatives to increase fruit and vegetable consumption may be funded through health action zones, sure start, healthy living centres and through general funding allocations to primary care trusts.