Bags of goodness sold across Widnes and Runcorn

Affordable fruit and veg are being sold by the bag load thanks to an initiative backed by Halton Housing Trust.

More than 300 bags of fruit, vegetables and salad are being sold monthly at Lowerhouse Food Club in Widnes.

It has been so successful that another food club has opened at Upton Community Centre and another will start on September 22 in Churchill Hall in Cooper Street, Runcorn.

“Our message was that healthy eating does not have to be expensive and it seems to be catching on,” said Isabel Hoxworth, co-ordinator for New Shoots Halton, which is running the programme.

Halton Housing Trust supports the scheme by offering free delivery of the food to the Stobart Stadium and Upton Community Centre each week.

From there, volunteers prepare bags of vegetables for customers who placed their order the week before.

Since the Lowerhouse Food Club was launched in March it has been extended to include people outside of the original catchment area of central Widnes, which includes the Trust’s Stewards Avenue and Kingsway estates.

Residents who sign up to the club can order bags of fruit, vegetables or salad for just £3.50 each.

“It has been extremely popular and we have had orders from right across the borough,” said Hoxworth. “People are becoming more aware of healthy eating and know that we are competitively priced.”

The fruit and vegetables that are available vary depending on what is in season and all produce is sourced from local farms or markets.

It has been calculated that customers can save up to £10 over the three bags of produce by shopping with the club rather than a supermarket.

Halton Borough Council, Halton and St Helens’ Health Improvement Team have all backed the programme, with other organisations looking to add their support in the near future.

Nick Atkin, chief executive of Halton Housing Trust, said the success of the food clubs had far exceeded original expectations.

“We are delighted to be able to play our part in supporting a scheme that will give our customers the chance to access healthy, seasonal and locally sourced food at such a great price,” he said.

Dwayne Johnson, strategic director for adults and community at Halton Borough Council, added: “This project is an excellent example of communities working together, whilst at the same time providing produce which is of excellent quality and competitively priced.”