Call for eligible people to claim healthy food

SWANSEA East MS Mike Hedges is encouraging eligible families to sign up for a NHS scheme which provides healthy food and vitamins for free.

Under the Healthy Start scheme, families can get a prepaid card that is topped up every four weeks with credit to help them buy healthy food such as fruit, vegetables, pulses, milk and infant formula. They can also get free Healthy Start vitamins.

Figures show that nearly 40% of people within Wales who are eligible for the scheme are currently not claiming it.

Mr Hedges said: “Four in 10 people across Wales who could be receiving support with the cost of healthy food through Healthy Start have not yet applied.

“With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many families in Wales, I want to make sure that people are aware of the help which is available through the Healthy Start scheme and they make use of it to buy healthy food for their families. If you think you might be eligible, please apply online by visiting www. healthystart.nhs.uk.”

Healthy Start is available to those who are more than 10 weeks’ pregnant or have a child under four and are in receipt of certain benefits. From the 10th week of pregnancy until a child turns four, you could be entitled to more than £1,200 to spend on healthy food.

Healthy Start cards can be used in retailers that sell food and accept Mastercard. They can be used to buy: cows’ milk fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables dried and tinned pulses first infant formula milk. Those eligible can also collect free Healthy Start vitamins. Taking certain vitamins during pregnancy and in early childhood improves both mothers’ and children’s health.