Pregnant women to get money for fruit and veg

[Mogga]

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2165455,00.html
All expectant mothers are to be given a one-off payment of around £120
that they will be encouraged to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables as
a way of protecting their children from diseases and incurable
conditions later in life.

[Dave {Reply Address in.Sig}]

Post by Mogga
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2165455,00.html
All expectant mothers are to be given a one-off payment of around £120
that they will be encouraged to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables as
a way of protecting their children from diseases and incurable
conditions later in life.

Which is a stupid waste of money as I suspect that most of it will be spent
on things other than healthy food. Perhaps if it was given in the form of
vouchers it might work. Yet another poorly-though-out idea of how to spend
my money, courtesy of the government.

[Andy Pandy]

Post by Dave {Reply Address in.Sig}

Post by Mogga
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2165455,00.html
All expectant mothers are to be given a one-off payment of around £120
that they will be encouraged to spend on fresh fruit and

vegetables as

Post by Dave {Reply Address in.Sig}

Post by Mogga
a way of protecting their children from diseases and incurable
conditions later in life.

Which is a stupid waste of money as I suspect that most of it will be spent
on things other than healthy food. Perhaps if it was given in the form of
vouchers it might work. Yet another poorly-though-out idea of how to spend
my money, courtesy of the government.

Yup - the ironic thing is that a healthy diet is actually *cheaper*
than an unhealthy one. An apple is cheaper than a chocolate bar, a
banana is cheaper than a bag of crisps, water is cheaper than booze,
not smoking is cheaper than smoking, etc. Maybe they should cut
benefits in order to improve health! (that's always the excuse when
putting up tax on cigarettes etc).

--
Andy

[Penny Gaines]

Post by Mogga
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2165455,00.html
All expectant mothers are to be given a one-off payment of around £120
that they will be encouraged to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables as
a way of protecting their children from diseases and incurable
conditions later in life.

It doesn't look to me that it would benefit the people who most need it.

If its linked to the mothers receiving "receiving professional health
advice": well that's fine if you've gone on maternity leave and have
plenty of time, but what if you are trying to do as much overtime as you
can before the baby is born?

And it doesn't actually make access to buying fresh produce. One
problem in poorer areas is that it isn't easy to buy a variety of
fruit or veg. You're fine if you can get to a decent supermarket,
but some people only have access to the local mini-mart with a limited
choice.

It looks like someone has had a good idea, but it won't work like they
want it to.

[Andy Pandy]

Post by Penny Gaines
And it doesn't actually make access to buying fresh produce. One
problem in poorer areas is that it isn't easy to buy a variety of
fruit or veg. You're fine if you can get to a decent supermarket,
but some people only have access to the local mini-mart with a

limited

Post by Penny Gaines
choice.

I work in one of the poorest areas on Manchester, but it has a great
market selling fresh fruit and veg, at much cheaper prices than the
supermarkets. Generally most poor urban areas have such markets.

--
Andy

[Mogga]

On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:07:54 +0100, "Andy Pandy"

Post by Penny Gaines

Post by Penny Gaines
And it doesn't actually make access to buying fresh produce. One
problem in poorer areas is that it isn't easy to buy a variety of
fruit or veg. You're fine if you can get to a decent supermarket,
but some people only have access to the local mini-mart with a

limited

Post by Penny Gaines
choice.

I work in one of the poorest areas on Manchester, but it has a great
market selling fresh fruit and veg, at much cheaper prices than the
supermarkets. Generally most poor urban areas have such markets.

The nearest veg shop other than at a supermarket is about 4 miles away
from me. Costing £3.70 on the bus (£2.20 return)
A neighbour's pointed out it's cheaper to go to Bury on the train (or
did he say Bolton?) for about £2 than get a bus anywhere that sells
anything.

We need more allottment spaces too. There's a waiting list of 400
people in Oldham apparently.

[Andy Pandy]

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy
I work in one of the poorest areas on Manchester, but it has a great
market selling fresh fruit and veg, at much cheaper prices than the
supermarkets. Generally most poor urban areas have such markets.

The nearest veg shop other than at a supermarket is about 4 miles away
from me. Costing £3.70 on the bus (£2.20 return)

No market? Where do you live?

Post by Mogga
A neighbour's pointed out it's cheaper to go to Bury on the train (or
did he say Bolton?) for about £2 than get a bus anywhere that sells
anything.
We need more allottment spaces too. There's a waiting list of 400
people in Oldham apparently.

Oldham has a few markets though...

http://www.oldham.gov.uk/cq_markets.htm

--
Andy

[Mogga]

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:02:42 +0100, "Andy Pandy"

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy
I work in one of the poorest areas on Manchester, but it has a

great

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy
market selling fresh fruit and veg, at much cheaper prices than the
supermarkets. Generally most poor urban areas have such markets.

The nearest veg shop other than at a supermarket is about 4 miles

away

Post by Mogga
from me. Costing £3.70 on the bus (£2.20 return)

No market? Where do you live?

Post by Mogga
A neighbour's pointed out it's cheaper to go to Bury on the train

(or

Post by Mogga
did he say Bolton?) for about £2 than get a bus anywhere that sells
anything.
We need more allottment spaces too. There's a waiting list of 400
people in Oldham apparently.

Oldham has a few markets though...
http://www.oldham.gov.uk/cq_markets.htm

Indeed.
The nearest one at Chadderton is still a £3.70 bus ride away (and
probably 15 minute walk to the bus stop at this end) - it's very
nearly 3 miles from where I live.

The one at Shaw is 5.5 Miles away

So yes there are markets available if you don't mind quite a long
trip.

I have a supermarket 10 mins walk away tops so timewise it makes sense
to go there.

I did used to go to the market stalls in Manchester sometimes when I
lived a short walk from town but I found you got quite poor quality
fruit and veg so you'd have to go every day as things wouldn't last.

I have looked at box schemes too but they all seem a bit pricey so
I've not tried any yet.

I did notice at Tesco the other day (They've opened a monster in
Failsworth) they do a veg box for £10 which gives you 3 bits of veg
free.

We did used to have some local shops but the planning process allows
them to be offered at 6 months to let as business premises (rental an
arm and a leg) and then when no one wants to take it on they apply for
PP to turn it into houses.
I think a newsagent on moston Lane east is about to go the same way.

[Andy Pandy]

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Mogga
We need more allottment spaces too. There's a waiting list of 400
people in Oldham apparently.

Oldham has a few markets though...
http://www.oldham.gov.uk/cq_markets.htm

Indeed.
The nearest one at Chadderton is still a £3.70 bus ride away

£3.70? IIRC it's cheaper than that for a First day ticket for
unlimited travel all day.

Post by Mogga
We did used to have some local shops but the planning process

allows

Post by Mogga
them to be offered at 6 months to let as business premises (rental an
arm and a leg) and then when no one wants to take it on they apply for
PP to turn it into houses.
I think a newsagent on moston Lane east is about to go the same way.

Harpurhey market? Down Moston lane? Not sure of the bus routes.

--
Andy

[Mogga]

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:32:45 +0100, "Andy Pandy"

Post by Andy Pandy
£3.70? IIRC it's cheaper than that for a First day ticket for
unlimited travel all day.

Post by Mogga
We did used to have some local shops but the planning process

allows

Post by Mogga
them to be offered at 6 months to let as business premises (rental

an

Post by Mogga
arm and a leg) and then when no one wants to take it on they apply

for

Post by Mogga
PP to turn it into houses.
I think a newsagent on moston Lane east is about to go the same way.

Harpurhey market? Down Moston lane? Not sure of the bus routes.

Ah I'd have to go down past the MIP market and they used to do a
cracking all day breakfast (all those healthy tomatoes)
You're right I think Harpurhey could be our nearest one - it's only 3
miles and there's the 77 goes that way.
It's ages since I've been they redid it all and I've only been once
since.
It probably works out at a day saver ticket journey though.
Good thinking anyway!
:)

It's a funny bit of Chadderton this. we're nearer New Moston and
Failsworth than Chadderton properly.

[Welches]

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Mogga
We need more allottment spaces too. There's a waiting list of 400
people in Oldham apparently.

Oldham has a few markets though...
http://www.oldham.gov.uk/cq_markets.htm

Indeed.
The nearest one at Chadderton is still a £3.70 bus ride away

£3.70? IIRC it's cheaper than that for a First day ticket for
unlimited travel all day.

Bus travel does depend considerably on region. It costs me £3.20 return to
get to my nearest town less than 5 miles away. And costs #1 (age 6) £2.10.
The nearest town with a market takes 40 minutes on the bus (round all the
houses) and costs (I think) £4.30.
We had a bus from Portsmouth being used on our route not long ago. For £2
you could get unlimited travel round Portsmouth all day. The drivers hated
this bus as they got complaints at the relative cost.
Debbie

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Mogga
We did used to have some local shops but the planning process

allows

Post by Mogga
them to be offered at 6 months to let as business premises (rental

an

Post by Mogga
arm and a leg) and then when no one wants to take it on they apply

for

Post by Mogga
PP to turn it into houses.
I think a newsagent on moston Lane east is about to go the same way.

Harpurhey market? Down Moston lane? Not sure of the bus routes.
--
Andy

[Chris French]

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy
I work in one of the poorest areas on Manchester, but it has a

great

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy
market selling fresh fruit and veg, at much cheaper prices than the
supermarkets. Generally most poor urban areas have such markets.

The nearest veg shop other than at a supermarket is about 4 miles

away

Post by Mogga
from me. Costing £3.70 on the bus (£2.20 return)

No market? Where do you live?

Markets aren't always near to where people live anymore.

e.g. Leeds has a good market in the centre of the city. but lots of
people, whether in poorer areas or better off areas live a long way put
from the centre. Unless you are going to be in town anyway, it didn't
make sense really to travel all the way in to go to the market. Veg
shops are thin on the ground in areas such as the suburban area around
cities like Leeds, and anyway, aren't really any cheaper than
supermarkets.

for many the only options really are supermarkets are convenience e
stores

[Andy Pandy]

Post by Chris French

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Andy Pandy
I work in one of the poorest areas on Manchester, but it has a

great

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy
market selling fresh fruit and veg, at much cheaper prices than the
supermarkets. Generally most poor urban areas have such markets.

The nearest veg shop other than at a supermarket is about 4 miles

away

Post by Mogga
from me. Costing £3.70 on the bus (£2.20 return)

No market? Where do you live?

Markets aren't always near to where people live anymore.
e.g. Leeds has a good market in the centre of the city. but lots of
people, whether in poorer areas or better off areas live a long way put
from the centre. Unless you are going to be in town anyway, it

didn't

Post by Chris French
make sense really to travel all the way in to go to the market.

The markets I was thinking of in Manchester are not in the centre,
they are in the middle of the poorest areas, such as Bradford/Beswick
& Harpurhey (which according the Manchester Evening News has the
lowest house prices in Manchester).

--
Andy

[Welches]

Post by Mogga
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2165455,00.html
All expectant mothers are to be given a one-off payment of around £120
that they will be encouraged to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables as
a way of protecting their children from diseases and incurable
conditions later in life.
--

Be more sensible to provide fruit/veg boxes to pregnant women weekly. Maybe
a week's portion of potatoes, carrots and apples as they're easy to use, and
maybe something else more exotic too.
Debbie

[Mogga]

Hot on the heels of wanting people to eat more fruit and veg

http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2166494,00.html

Scientists found traces of pesticides in 70% of samples of free fruit
and vegetables destined for schoolchildren, it was revealed yesterday.

The annual report of the Pesticide Residues Committee, which advises
the government, showed that overall more than a third of food and
drink products tested in the UK last year contained chemical traces,
and 1.7% - 60 samples of the 3,562 surveyed - had residues above the
legally permitted limits.

interesting end quote:
"Nearly all the residues we found were not likely to affect people's
health," Dr Brown said.

So only one or two are bad for you?

[G Hardy]

Post by Mogga
Hot on the heels of wanting people to eat more fruit and veg
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2166494,00.html
Scientists found traces of pesticides in 70% of samples of free fruit
and vegetables destined for schoolchildren, it was revealed yesterday.

If they don't kill kids, surely they should be called "insecticide"?

;o)

[Mogga]

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:52:06 GMT, "G Hardy"

Post by G Hardy

Post by Mogga
Hot on the heels of wanting people to eat more fruit and veg
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2166494,00.html
Scientists found traces of pesticides in 70% of samples of free fruit
and vegetables destined for schoolchildren, it was revealed yesterday.

If they don't kill kids, surely they should be called "insecticide"?
;o)

hohoho
Nice one.
:)

[Andy Pandy]

Post by Mogga
Hot on the heels of wanting people to eat more fruit and veg
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2166494,00.html
Scientists found traces of pesticides in 70% of samples of free fruit
and vegetables destined for schoolchildren, it was revealed

yesterday.

Post by Mogga
The annual report of the Pesticide Residues Committee, which advises
the government, showed that overall more than a third of food and
drink products tested in the UK last year contained chemical traces,
and 1.7% - 60 samples of the 3,562 surveyed - had residues above the
legally permitted limits.
"Nearly all the residues we found were not likely to affect people's
health," Dr Brown said.
So only one or two are bad for you?

Everything contains stuff that's bad for you. There are natural
poisons in many foods, though strangly nobody seems to worry about
them. Apples and almonds contain cyanide for instance...

--
Andy

[Mogga]

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:57:40 +0100, "Andy Pandy"

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Mogga
So only one or two are bad for you?

Everything contains stuff that's bad for you. There are natural
poisons in many foods, though strangly nobody seems to worry about
them. Apples and almonds contain cyanide for instance...

Only in tiny amounts in the pips though

[Andy Pandy]

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy
Everything contains stuff that's bad for you. There are natural
poisons in many foods, though strangly nobody seems to worry about
them. Apples and almonds contain cyanide for instance...

Only in tiny amounts in the pips though

Almonds don't have pips. You'll probably find the cyanide content of
almonds similar to pesticide residues on fruit etc.

--
Andy

[Mogga]

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:16:39 +0100, "Andy Pandy"

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy
Everything contains stuff that's bad for you. There are natural
poisons in many foods, though strangly nobody seems to worry about
them. Apples and almonds contain cyanide for instance...

Only in tiny amounts in the pips though

Almonds don't have pips. You'll probably find the cyanide content of
almonds similar to pesticide residues on fruit etc.

most people don't eat the pips of apples

Diet - The family Rosaceae, which includes the bitter almond, cherry
laurel, apricot, plum, peach, pear, and apple, is responsible for many
reported cyanide poisonings. These foods all contain cyanogenic
glycosides, such as amygdalin, in their pits and seeds. The common
(ie, sweet) almond does not cause cyanide intoxication.


A 1998 report in the Annals of Emergency Medicine described cyanide
poisoning in a woman who bought apricot kernels at a health food
store, became severely ill within 20 minutes of ingestion and was
close to death when she reached the emergency room. Fortunately, the
cause of her illness was identified and she recovered, but it was the
first report of its kind in nearly 20 years.

[Andy Pandy]

Post by Mogga

Post by Andy Pandy
Almonds don't have pips. You'll probably find the cyanide content of
almonds similar to pesticide residues on fruit etc.

most people don't eat the pips of apples
Diet - The family Rosaceae, which includes the bitter almond, cherry
laurel, apricot, plum, peach, pear, and apple, is responsible for many
reported cyanide poisonings. These foods all contain cyanogenic
glycosides, such as amygdalin, in their pits and seeds. The common
(ie, sweet) almond does not cause cyanide intoxication.
A 1998 report in the Annals of Emergency Medicine described cyanide
poisoning in a woman who bought apricot kernels at a health food
store, became severely ill within 20 minutes of ingestion and was
close to death when she reached the emergency room. Fortunately, the
cause of her illness was identified and she recovered, but it was the
first report of its kind in nearly 20 years.

When was the last time someone was rushed into hospital "close to
death" after eating fruit or veg contaminated with pesticides?

--
Andy

[Mogga]

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:35:28 +0100, "Andy Pandy"

Post by Andy Pandy

Post by Mogga
A 1998 report in the Annals of Emergency Medicine described cyanide
poisoning in a woman who bought apricot kernels at a health food
store, became severely ill within 20 minutes of ingestion and was
close to death when she reached the emergency room. Fortunately, the
cause of her illness was identified and she recovered, but it was

the

Post by Mogga
first report of its kind in nearly 20 years.

When was the last time someone was rushed into hospital "close to
death" after eating fruit or veg contaminated with pesticides?

There are the longer term issues of pesticides building up in the
system.

[Martin Rich]

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:34:38 +0100, Mogga

Post by Mogga
"Nearly all the residues we found were not likely to affect people's
health," Dr Brown said.
So only one or two are bad for you?

The real point is that you're still better off eating fruit and veg,
than not eating fruit and veg because you're afraid of pesticides.
I've also seen a concern expressed (I think by the food standards
agency, and I'm aware that this is just one aspect of a complex issue)
that promoting organic fruit might lead to children eating *less*
fruit, because of parents believing that only expensive organic fruit
was good enough.

Martin