A pilot scheme has been launched to provide access to free vitamins for children, pregnant women and new parents in Hull.
Those eligible will be given prepaid cards to buy fruit, vegetables, milk, infant formula and vitamins.
Hull City Council said the pilot would support the development of babies and young children and promote good health during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Councillor Linda Tock, portfolio holder for children’s services, said: “The new vitamin pilot is an exciting next step. By making vitamins easy to access locally, we’re helping to give children the best nutritional start in life.”
The pilot, running from Fenchurch, McMillan and Marfleet Family Hubs in Hull, provides eligible families with “quick, local access to free vitamins”, the council said.
It added the move would build on “two years of innovative work to increase uptake of the NHS Healthy Start scheme”.
Andy McKee, early help health co-ordinator at the council, said: “We know the Healthy Start scheme is incredibly important for families in Hull, particularly in areas of high deprivation.
“Our aim has been to take a whole-city approach, so families hear about the scheme from the people they already trust – whether that is health visitors, midwives, community workers or Family Hub staff.”
Hull City Council said it would continue monitoring the uptake of Healthy Start to “ensure families receive the support they are entitled to”.
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