Get a Healthy Start Initiative

Received from Devon County Council:

Get a Healthy Start! Free Fruit and Veg box for those eligible for Healthy Start

Devon County Council Public Health team are running a promotional fruit and veg box initiative called Get a Healthy Start! This initiative is to help promote the national Healthy Start scheme, which provides eligible pregnant women and families with children under 4 with financial support towards fruit and veg, cows' milk, and infant formula, as well as free vitamins. Only about 50% of those eligible in Devon are currently receiving this important support and we want to try and help as many people as possible access the support they are entitled to.

The Healthy Start scheme is also set to go digital mid-autumn, moving to a pre-paid card instead of vouchers. Everyone will need to apply to receive it, even those who are currently already signed up - so there is a risk some people may lose the support they currently receive if they are unaware of the changes.

The Get a Healthy Start! promotion is open to those who are eligible for Healthy Start in the Devon County Council area. The aim is to raise awareness of the scheme and the forthcoming changes, encourage sign up, and encourage those who currently receive Healthy Start to re-apply when the digital scheme launches. The promotional boxes will contain:

* Fresh fruit and vegetables
* A booklet containing recipes, information on Healthy Start and the changes coming, and signposting
* Healthy Start vitamins
* Fun 10 minute shake-up games for children
* Breastfeeding support information

The eligibility criteria for Healthy Start can be found here<https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthystart.nhs.uk%2Fhow-to-apply%2F&data=04%7C01%7CRufus.Gilbert%40devon.gov.uk%7C69361d6ef5fc41d67e2808d96c8feef9%7C8da13783cb68443fbb4b997f77fd5bfb%7C0%7C0%7C637660187885289752%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Aj5ufFIoXE89Il0zGBTSRBo8GNzazON1lgUxvm7%2FNEs%3D&reserved=0>.

Families can enter their details to order a box directly using the following link devon.cc/getahealthystart<https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdevon.cc%2Fgetahealthystart&data=04%7C01%7CRufus.Gilbert%40devon.gov.uk%7C69361d6ef5fc41d67e2808d96c8feef9%7C8da13783cb68443fbb4b997f77fd5bfb%7C0%7C0%7C637660187885299705%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=pbOSQesnyQrdMn1NhUOk%2Bm7tymFh7LW7BvrHSQ2qq4k%3D&reserved=0> and we are able to accept orders on a first come first serve basis until 12pm 24th September, or until all boxes have been allocated. Boxes will be delivered towards the end of October, delivery details will be given after ordering.