Not for profit community cafes and fruit barras take off

Details of where people can find good quality food locally have been highlighted in a guide.

The project is a joint one between NHS Forth Valley, Clackmannanshire Healthy Lives and Keep Well, and the leaflet contains a map of where to find the 13 local community cafes and eight fruit and vegetable barras.

Not only do the venues provide a nutritional benefit, but they also encourage social inclusion and help avoid loneliness.

Debbie Ross, Community Food Development Worker with Clackmannanshire Healthier Lives said: “Some of these cafes and fruit barras are tucked away, and are not so easy to find. We thought a map would act as a signpost to what is available.

“All the fruit and vegetable barras sell fresh good quality produce on a not-for-profit basis, and the community cafes offer a wide range of snacks and meals, again not for profit. The majority are run by volunteers who are trained in food hygiene and are designed to engender a community spirit.”

There are two community cafes in Stirling, seven in Falkirk and four in Clackmannanshire. Five fruit barras are available in Stirling, one in Falkirk and two in Clackmannanshire. The new guide also contains a map which details what services are available at each venue, for example free WiFi, wheelchair access and parking facilities.

Meal deals include soup, sandwich and a drink for £2.95 and pensioner meals for a pound.

Debbie added: “This allows people to have at least one good hot meal a day and to meet other people. Many of the fruit and vegetable barras accept Healthy Start vouchers.

See www.nhsforthvalley. com/healthpromotion.