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The NHS Healthy Start Scheme – Supporting Families with Nutritious Food

26th March 2025

As a nursery caterer, we understand the importance of good nutrition for young children. That’s why we want to highlight the NHS Healthy Start Scheme, a fantastic initiative that helps families on a low income with young children access healthy food. Here’s everything you need to know:

What is the Healthy Start Scheme?

Healthy Start is a government-backed programme that provides financial support to eligible families to help them buy essential healthy foods. This includes fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit and vegetables, pulses, cow’s milk, and first infant formula.

Who is Eligible for Healthy Start?

You may qualify if you are:

  • At least 10 weeks pregnant

  • A parent or carer with a child under 4 years old

  • Receiving certain benefits such as Universal Credit (with an income of £408 or less per month), Income Support, or Child Tax Credit (with an annual income of £16,190 or less)

  • Under 18 and pregnant (even if you don’t receive any benefits)

How Much Can You Receive?

Eligible families receive a prepaid card topped up every four weeks:

  • £4.25 per week for each pregnant woman

  • £8.50 per week for each baby under 1 year old

  • £4.25 per week for each child aged 1-4 years

 For example, if you have a 6-month-old baby and a 3-year-old child, you would receive £51 every four weeks.

 What Can You Buy with a Healthy Start Card?

You can use your Healthy Start card to buy:

  • Fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit and vegetables (without added salt, sugar, or fat)

  • Fresh, dried, or tinned pulses

  • Plain cow’s milk (whole, semi-skimmed, or skimmed)

  • First infant formula (if not breastfeeding)

You cannot use it for flavoured milk, ready-made baby food, juice, smoothies, or items with added sugar or salt.

You cannot use it for flavoured milk, ready-made baby food, juice, smoothies, or items with added sugar or salt.

Where Can You Use the Healthy Start Card?

The prepaid card can be used anywhere that accepts Mastercard and sells eligible foods, including:

  • Supermarkets

  • Local shops

  • Farmers’ markets (if they accept card payments)

  • Food co-ops and community food projects

What About Vitamins?

Families eligible for Healthy Start also get free vitamins for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children up to the age of 4. These contain essential nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin D.

How to Apply?

Applying is simple! Depending on your circumstances, you can apply online at www.healthystart.nhs.uk, email healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk, or call 0300 330 7010.

Why is Healthy Start Important?

A balanced diet during pregnancy and early childhood is essential for a child’s growth, brain development, and long-term health. The Healthy Start scheme helps families access the right nutrition while making food shopping more affordable.

Download the NHS Healthy Start Eligibility PDF

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