Making a Difference - Community Food and Health

Workshop Seven: Making a difference in Dumfries and
Galloway
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Tina Gibson, Public Health Practitioner, Karen Lewis, Director of Nithsdale Council
of Voluntary Services (NCVS) and John Worsley, Senior Health Promotion Officer,
NHS Dumfries and Galloway
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This workshop highlighted some of the food and health activities that are being delivered in
Dumfries and Galloway. The activities discussed were a newly opened social enterprise
‘The Allotment’; and ‘Train To Train’ nutrition and cooking skills courses. Information about
both of these activities is in the recently launched ‘Food and Health Strategy and Action
Plan for Dumfries and Galloway 2008-2013’.
The social enterprise
Tina and Karen started the workshop by talking about a new social enterprise in the area.
‘The Allotment’ is a new fruit and vegetable shop in the main shopping area in Dumfries,
which opened in early October and is managed by one staff member and volunteers. It
sells a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables to the public but unlike the usual small
shop, it has a ‘loyalty’ card scheme and sophisticated till system. The project has invested
in an EPOS till which is able to target additional subsidy to low-income households who
register with the shop. It helps the business to keep track of who is making use of the shop
and thus provide evidence of meeting local needs, as well as allowing monitoring of
consumption of fruit and vegetables within households. It also enables secondary
marketing opportunities for other interventions.
The loyalty card scheme is open to all customers and those registered are entered into a
free monthly prize draw. The loyalty card scheme also invites low-income households with
additional support to apply for a 20% discount off all goods. The shop is registered to
receive ‘healthy start’ vouchers and is the only venue in the local area that also provides
vitamin drops for those using these vouchers.
The Allotment was set up as the result of participatory appraisal community work in the
area, which highlighted a need for better access to affordable quality fruit and vegetables
as well as advice on cooking. The shop is a partnership between NCVS and Nithsdale
NHS Health Improvement Team. It is set up as a trading subsidiary of NCVS and has a
Community Interest Company structure. Any surplus money made will be reinvested into
anti-poverty activities. So far, the shop has been very popular with a wide range of local
residents.
Future plans for The Allotment include investigating the possibility of rolling out similar
shops to other towns where they are needed and providing placements and accreditation
for those who wish to build their employability skills.
Train to Train cooking courses
John followed the presentation by telling the workshop about a project that is increasing
cooking skills locally, particularly amongst disadvantaged groups. The ‘Train To Train’
cookery course actively promotes an interest in and enjoyment of cooking and eating
healthy food by teaching cooking, nutrition and training skills. Individuals attending the
course are encouraged and enabled to pass their skills onto others. Many of these will be