Everybody at Edinburgh Community Food were proud to welcome local families to Operation Strawberry – our food hub in the heart of Leith to talk to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP to discuss Best Start Food.

We were delighted that the parents felt able to share with the Cabinet Secretary at length their personal experience of accessing the Best Start Food and how the scheme benefits them.

The visit was captured by local radio and STV news as well as Social Security Scotland.

• Listen to parent, Victoria's experience here: https://fb.watch/v8JaH9xl2i/ 
• Brenda Black. CEO of ECF, shares her views on Best Start Foods Social Security Scotland - Best Start Foods - Brenda Black 
• Social Security Scotland: £57 million paid to families to help with food shop – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

We need your help to:

• spread the word and have conversations to help mothers and guardians check their eligibility
• encourage families activate their Best Start Foods Pre-Paid Card and spend their payment on healthier foods to enjoy with their growing family. 

Be a Best Start conversation starter!

Parents receive £21.20 during pregnancy, £42.40 for each child from birth until they’re one year old and £21.20 for each child aged between one and 3 years old.  Edinburgh Community Food supports the Best Start Food scheme by accepting payment of the Best Start Foods card and supplying a substantially enhanced healthy food box all added up to £21.20 - the minimum monthly allowance for those in receipt of the Best Start Food support.   

Our Best Start Box provides exceptional value for money with additional healthy dry cupboard ingredients, recipes, nutritional information and a Childsmile toothpaste and toothbrush pack along with wrap-around support to ensure young families have access to an affordable, healthy diet.

To find out more about what Edinburgh Community Food are doing to support families, please check out our website: https://www.edinburghcommunityfood.org.uk/news/best-start-foods

To find out about eligibility and to apply for the Best Start Grant, visit the MyGov.Scot website at https://lnkd.in/etNyBVg

 

Photos by

Josue Rodriguez - @shotbyjos Jos Rodriguez Photography