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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think the new healthy eating vouchers

36 replies

Niceguy2 · 03/01/2011 01:49

is just a complete waste of time & money?

The likes of Nestle & Mars will never be truly serious about healthy eating as their whole business rests upon us consuming vast quantities of their junk food.

Let me see £250m in vouchers....last year's profit for Nestle alone was £10billion. They spend about 20x more on marketing alone!

Also, I've yet to meet any sane adult in the UK who didn't know what they SHOULD eat.

I know I should eat lots of fruit & vegetables. But I also know they go off quickly and I can't be fagged to go to the supermarket every couple of days.

I also cba to cook from scratch everyday using my lovely fresh veg and its way easier to slam in a pizza.

Lastly, it's also way cheaper to buy frozen food than fresh.

So I'll probably grab a pack of vouchers to see what I can save. But its not like I'll go "mmmm, yum! That's what a cucumber tastes like! Wow! Let me buy some more!"

OP posts:
JarethTheGoblinKing · 03/01/2011 01:50

What new healthy eating vouchers?
(sorry, not heard of any change)

Original poster
Niceguy2 · 03/01/2011 02:01

Details here

OP posts:
JarethTheGoblinKing · 03/01/2011 02:04

Cheers

JarethTheGoblinKing · 03/01/2011 02:05

Jesus tap dancing Christ.. what a spectacular waste of money Hmm

wankers.

belledechocchipcookie · 03/01/2011 02:06

Interesting. Are they assuming that a certain demographic shop in ASDA and read the News of the World?? Are they assuming that this demographic is in need of this support because they are all overweight or uhealthy? Hmm. Interesting.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 03/01/2011 02:10

only if hmmm, interesting = hmmm, fucking patronising.

belledechocchipcookie · 03/01/2011 02:12

Yup. Hmm, fucking patronising.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 03/01/2011 02:14

ah, it's that time of night where i can't tell if I'm being a bitch or not Hmm
I did mean fucking patronising that this is aimed at NOTW and ASDA...

belledechocchipcookie · 03/01/2011 02:18

Don't worry. The Twat of the World and Asda are not the best places for the scheme, which sounds shit anyway. It's a bit like saying 'you working class shite only eat shite, here's some money.'

JarethTheGoblinKing · 03/01/2011 02:24

Fucking bollocks, isn't it?

FFS...

My sister tells me that her local Sainsury's put through her Healthy Start vouchers,regardless of what she's buying, even even if it's waffles and persil. There's an elderly woman on a particular til, scans it all through with a smile. (apparently the self service tils do the same, but i have yet to see that in action)

FFS... AAAAAAARGH

belledechocchipcookie · 03/01/2011 02:25

What's a Healthy Start voucher? Does it do the same thing?

JarethTheGoblinKing · 03/01/2011 02:30

My sister gets a certain amount a week that's meant to be spent on formula/milk/fruit/veg (as far as I understand it)

She can put through her vouchers if its bog roll and diet coke.. /shrug

JarethTheGoblinKing · 03/01/2011 02:33

(don't get me started on certain groups being offered vouchers that can be put towards formula - biggest dissuader of BFing I've ever come across (dare I mention it here? Confused )
My sister tried BFing once, 3 days after birth, but seriously wasn't bothered because 1. she knew she'd get the majority of the formula paid for, and 2. She thought it better than BM,

belledechocchipcookie · 03/01/2011 02:34

Oh right. So it's going to be more vouchers for poor people to spend on frozen pizza and weight watchers shit then? 1 weight watchers meal may be balanced but they are not exactly enough to keep hunger at bay. 2 meals in one serving is over the top but fills people up.

Tortington · 03/01/2011 02:42

jareth on the other hand i have a problem with people being forced to breastfeed because they cannot financially make a choice not to do so.

SO, these vouchers are available to anyone regardless of income?

JarethTheGoblinKing · 03/01/2011 03:17

I'm just saying that the healthy start vouchers aren't really the answer to anything.

Of course people with small or no incomes should have access to formula for their babies, that much is obvious. Difficult balance though, better trained HV's could help, better education etc.

HaveAHappyNewJung · 03/01/2011 03:50

I agree it's a waste. BUT from a selfish point of view it's exciting for me - could do with saving some money!

It's like bookstart - it may not reach the people who need it most, but for families like mine who know the importance of literacy BUT have fuck all money to spend on books, it is great.

Similarly, I am well aware of the importance of healthy eating but am on a very tight budget, so any offer of saving money on fruit and veg will have me champing at the carrot bit.

DayShiftDoris · 03/01/2011 04:07

Whoop whoop I am all for it... I buy healthy stuff all the time but I am willing to lie to get money off Grin

Yay a benefit that helps me with my son's smoothie and blueberry obsession!

Coffeebeans · 03/01/2011 04:37

So am I right in thinking only asda will accept the vouchers?

onimolap · 03/01/2011 07:44

I was following the link and trying to work out the answer to Coffeebeans' question. I couldn't find it - the swapathon site requires you to register to start swopping before it'll show you anything else.

There are other retailers involved in distribution of the vouchers (80% through Asda/NOTW - is the latter involved as the way to reach non-Internet families - and 20% through others (not further specified)).

There's nothing on where you can use them.

Please someone come on and tell me I was a nit for looking in the wrong place. Or does one really have to give the Government ones personal details online just to find out about more?

BTW: at least it's totally funded by business, not the tax payer.

camdancer · 03/01/2011 08:12

I tried registering. First it crashed Firefox and then it just redirected to a page that doesn't exist. I'm very happy to get vouchers for money off food but it doesn't seem to be working yet - typical. I completely agree with Jung. It may be a waste of money but I'm happy to participate!

ProfYaffle · 03/01/2011 08:12

I just tried to complete the questionnaire in the hope of getting some money off vouchers but the sodding thing crashed and kicked me off half way through.

Horrifically patronising though, I feel grubby for having even accessed it.

HaveAHappyNewJung · 03/01/2011 10:25

Stopped working halfway through for me too (safari on iPhone) :(

That keeps happening with change4life stuff, never managed to sign up for the main thing because of it.

Will keep trying though. I want vouchers!!!

clutha · 03/01/2011 11:06

i eat reasonably healthily but their is freebies on offer, why not?

the site is full of glitches though, finished questionnaire, couldnt see any mention of vouchers???

Mibby · 03/01/2011 11:07

It won't work for me either, I just get a yellow screen with red writing saying "an error occured"

If anyone has more luck can they let us know, and say what/ where the vouchers are usable please