WHITLEIGH, PLYMOUTH
PHASE 1
How it all Started
PHASE 2
Getting it off the ground Project in Action
PHASE 3
PHASE 4
HOW IT ALL STARTED
April - June 2023
held in Whitleigh April and May 2023 and here is what people said: Fruit and Veg workshops
We value fresh vegetables as healthy, and would like to eat more.
Barriers to eating fruit and veg are cost, transport, local availability.
We want to learn more about preparing and cooking fresh vegetables and seasonality.
We want our children to have these opportunities also.
These drawings were made by Community Food Researchers to illustrate the points above.
July - December 2023
Funding was secured from UKRI in 2023. A team was built, comprising Community Food Researchers from Whitleigh, University of Plymouth researchers, Tamar Fresh, our local fruit and vegetable vendors and Food Plymouth.
Lisa (Coordinator)
Paridhi (Research Assistant)
(Community Researcher)
Jo (Community Researcher)
(Health Champion)
Jiang (Research Fellow)
Julia (Health Champion)
Clare (PI)
Yve
Joanna
A community intervention was designed to find the most effective and acceptable ways to bring fresh fruit and vegetables into Whitleigh, Plymouth.
To increase fruit and veg consumption
Improve access to fruit and veg in the community
Improve confidence and skills around fruit and veg
Increase social connection within community
Test voucher and delivery approaches
The voucher booklet
Intervention Street
Control Street
The Salvation Army
Whitleigh, Plymouth
We worked with Tamar Fresh to set up an easy transaction system so people in Whitleigh could use Fresh Street vouchers, cash or card to order fresh fruit and vegetables. Tamar Fresh provided pre-selected ‘bags’ of seasonal, local fruit and vegetables each fortnight.
IIN WHITLEIGH, PLYMOUTH
PROJECT IN ACTION
January - September 2024
At the start of the project we went door to door to ask people how many portions of fruit and vegetables they consume on a typical day and here is what we found:
Majority of the people said they consume 0 portions in a day
Tamar Fresh delivered seasonal fruit and vegetable ‘bags’ on Thursdays fortnightly to the Salvation Army Hall. These ‘bags’ were packed by our community research team.
On fruit and vegetable pick up days we created a social environment for people to stop, have a cuppa and enagage in activities to share knowledge about cooking and eating fruit and veg.
Chris
Learning about composting schemes in Whitleigh Mapping local fruit and vegetable shopping habits
Playing with kitchen gadgets and equipment
Chris Chris Chris
Energy efficient cooking methodspros, cons and preferences
Chris Sharing tips and ideas for what is in in the bag
6 MARKETS
(APRIL - SEPTEMBER)
Whitleigh, Plymouth
Average footfall on market days: 46 people
Organised by Whitleigh Big Local
Percentage of people
At the end of the project we asked people again about how many portions of fruit and vegetables they consume on a typical day. And here is what we found:
Less people ate zero portions by the end of the project
More people had 3 portions by the end of the project
Engagement activities
Vouchers
It’s free. Vouchers gave people the opportunity to try new fruits and vegetables without the risk of waste. Activities encouraged people to share cooking and money saving tips, increasing social connection and knowledge.
People heard about the scheme from neighbours, friends and our local partner organisations, such as Whtileigh Big Local.
Participants told us the fruit and vegetables lasted a long time and they were pleased with the quality.
Convenient location
Salvation Army Hall is 10 minute walk from the intervention street. It is an accessible and familiar location.
Limited Times Low Awareness Short Duration Stigma Limited Resources
It took time for local people to gain awareness of the project and how it worked. Participants could place orders for fruit and veg fortnightly, and attend the market once a month.
The research study lasted for a limited time of nine months. Some people told us they did not need the voucher, and would give it others who might benefit.
Limited team capacity hindered the frequency of the scheme.
This project helped us a lot with our health. The staff are really friendy and polite. Before I wouldn’t even talk to other people and be stuck alone indoors. But now I have the confidence to go out and talk to people.
I am eating much healthier and lost 4.5 stones since I started using Fresh Street. I like that I am doing more for the community and getting out. Before I used to buy £1 ready meals from value supermarkets which were not making me feel good but now with Fresh Street I cook meals from scratch regularly using the fresh fruit and veg.
It’s been a really good scheme overall. I think it encouraged people to participate and eat more fruit and veg. It’s nice to be a part of this community and has encouraged me to participate in things that I wouldn’t have earlier.
It’s been really helpful. I have been collecting bags for 7 families including elderly people and 14 kids.
People told us in the ‘door to door chats’ and during activities
We held a local market and fortnightly order cycle
We ran sessions to share ideas around fruit and veg People made new connections and enjoyed Ran a successfull voucher scheme in the community
To increase fruit and veg consumption
Improve access to fruit and veg in the community
Improve confidence and skills around fruit and veg
Increase social connection within community
Test voucher and delivery approaches
October - December 2024
