Fresh street: the development and feasibility of a place-based, subsidy for fresh fruit and vegetables

Abstract

Background Many UK communities experience food insecurity, and consume diets high in energy-dense, nutrient poor, processed foods and low in fruit and vegetables (FV). We explored a novel area-based approach to promote FV consumption and healthy eating in one such community. Methods We developed a weekly subsidy scheme for fresh FV with key local stakeholders in an area of socioeconomic deprivation in Northern England. The scheme (Fresh Street) offered five £1 vouchers to every household, regardless of income or household type. Vouchers were redeemable with local suppliers of fresh FV (not supermarkets). The feasibility of the scheme was assessed in four streets using rapid ethnographic assessment and voucher redemption information. Results Local councillors and public health teams were supportive of the scheme. Most eligible households joined the scheme (n = 80/97, 83%), and 89.3% (17 849/19 982) of vouchers issued were redeemed. Householders reported that the scheme made them think about what they were eating, and prompted them to buy and eat more FV. Conclusions This feasibility study reported high levels of acceptance for a place-based, household-level weekly FV subsidy scheme. Further research is required to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach to creating healthy diets, eating behaviours and food systems.

An umbrella review of the acceptability of fiscal and pricing policies to reduce diet-related noncommunicable disease

“…The supplementary literature review identified 31 studies published between January 2020 and November 2021 that examined B/Fs as part of the process of implementing taxes or subsidies on food and non-alcoholic beverages to improve diet and prevent diet-related NCDs (please see Figure S2 , Tables S5 and S7 in the Supporting Information online ). These covered FPs – implemented or proposed – in Barbados, 58 Botswana, 35 , 59 , 60 Chile, 61 , 62 Colombia, 62 Kenya, 35 , 59 , 60 Mexico, 29 , 61 , 62 Namibia, 35 , 59 , 60 , 63 the Netherlands, 31 , 32 Rwanda, 35 , 59 , 60 , 64 South Africa, 28 , 65–67 Tanzania, 35 , 59 , 60 Uganda, 34 , 35 , 59 , 60 the United Kingdom, 68 , 69 various jurisdictions within the United States, 70–82 and Zambia. 35 , 59 , 60 Two studies examined the feasibility of fruit and vegetable subsidization programs in the United Kingdom 68 and the United States, 75 finding that communities often engaged in these programs and that existing government structures in the United States could facilitate such a program, but a voluntary opt-in approach for local jurisdictions would be more feasible than a mandatory one.…”

“…These covered FPs – implemented or proposed – in Barbados, 58 Botswana, 35 , 59 , 60 Chile, 61 , 62 Colombia, 62 Kenya, 35 , 59 , 60 Mexico, 29 , 61 , 62 Namibia, 35 , 59 , 60 , 63 the Netherlands, 31 , 32 Rwanda, 35 , 59 , 60 , 64 South Africa, 28 , 65–67 Tanzania, 35 , 59 , 60 Uganda, 34 , 35 , 59 , 60 the United Kingdom, 68 , 69 various jurisdictions within the United States, 70–82 and Zambia. 35 , 59 , 60 Two studies examined the feasibility of fruit and vegetable subsidization programs in the United Kingdom 68 and the United States, 75 finding that communities often engaged in these programs and that existing government structures in the United States could facilitate such a program, but a voluntary opt-in approach for local jurisdictions would be more feasible than a mandatory one. One study examined revenues raised from a tax on unhealthy foods within the Navajo Nation, finding an increase in revenues that declined over time.…”

“… 109 This is expected to be more effective in correcting externalities and internalities than taxation alone. 110 Evidence suggests that the public would support healthy food subsidization, 68 , 111 and that pairing such subsidization alongside the proposed taxation, could even increase public support for the taxation. 33 …”

England’s food strategy: missed opportunity to use fiscal food policy levers to improve diets and reduce health inequalities

“…Fiscal policies might be feasible and acceptable in a UK policy context to increase the affordability and accessibility of healthy food and disincentivise unhealthy food consumption 8. Revenues from duties on sugar, salt, and junk foods can then be used to subsidise buying fruit and vegetables.…”