Nottinghamshire County Council is urging eligible people to use the Healthy Start scheme as more families feel the strain of the cost-of-living pressures.

In total, 1458 families who qualify for Healthy Start in Nottinghamshire are currently missing out on free fruit, vegetables, and milk.

Healthy Start offers funds worth £4.25 a week to pregnant women and children (0 – 4 years) who are in low-income families, as well as to all pregnant women under 18. Funds can be used to buy fruit, vegetables, milk and, for those who are not breastfeeding, infant formula. Eligible families with a baby under the age of one receive £8.50 a week.

Councillor Matt Barney, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: "We know things are tough for families right now, so we're urging more people to make use of this fantastic scheme.

"We want to give every child the best start in life. Good nutrition is so important in those early years and Healthy Start can help families access healthy food, as well as reduce the pressure on their household budgets.

"Almost 1500 families who could use the scheme in Notts are currently missing out. So please check to see if you're eligible and let your friends and families know about the scheme too."

If eligible, people will be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that they can use in any shop that accepts Mastercard®. Benefits will be added onto the card every four weeks.

The card can also be used to collect free Healthy Start vitamins – for during pregnancy and breastfeeding; and free vitamin drops for babies and young children up to four years old.

Vitamins are available from many of the Council's Children's Centres, a list of which can be found by clicking here.

Anyone wishing to find out if they're eligible can do so by clicking here.

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