Post by: loulou on November 25, 2006, 10:58:56 pm
The government's Healthy Start scheme will provide parents with vouchers to buy fruit and vegetables, as well as milk and formula for babies.
The vouchers will be worth £2.80 per week and made available for pregnant women and families with children aged between one and four.
People with children under a year old will get two vouchers each week.
Post by: oldspice on November 26, 2006, 09:32:02 am
Post by: on November 26, 2006, 12:30:57 pm
Post by: loulou on November 26, 2006, 12:33:00 pm
Post by: on November 26, 2006, 12:39:48 pm
Post by: loulou on November 26, 2006, 12:40:48 pm
Post by: on November 26, 2006, 12:44:01 pm
Post by: oldspice on November 26, 2006, 01:20:28 pm
Post by: smurfboy on November 26, 2006, 10:05:31 pm
They'll probably still spend them at McDonalds
Yeah, that's right. McDonalds are going to take government fruit and veg vouchers. I suppose they'll start taking chocolate coins and fresh air too.
Post by: smurfboy on November 26, 2006, 10:08:00 pm
£2.80 won't buy very much fruit and veg.
You can buy a big bag of own brand carrots for about 50 or 60p. Tesco have huge sacks of potatoes for 74p. You can even get more expensive stuff like parsnips for about £1.50 a bag. In any case, the idea isn't that you necessarily buy all your fruit and veg for the week with it - it's just a bit extra.
Post by: loulou on November 27, 2006, 01:20:21 am
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 01, 2006, 08:52:18 pm
Free Fruit and Veg for the poor?????
I would like to make a couple of points here if I may as I am one of those people who will be getting the vouchers from the healthy start scheme.
The first point I would like to make is that I have strong objections to being labelled 'POOR'.
I am neither a state sponger nor am I destitute.
The second point is that I have never even been into a McDonalds in my life, and neither have any of my children. NEVER. We have far too much respect for our bodies than to eat in places like that.
We eat no fast food. No McDonalds. No Pizza Hut. No Burger King and no Kentucky Fried Chicken.
I think it is a sad reflection on our society that people still think of people like me as 'The Poor', simply because we are not as well off as others. As for the idea that all mothers of low income families spend all their money feeding their children crap, well honestly I would laugh if it didn't make me feel so much like crying....
'They'll probably still spend them at McDonalds'. What am I supposed to say to this????
Perhaps "Not if my dealer will take them for heroin??????"
I think this scheme has the potential to be one of the finest additions to the welfare bill in this country for many years. I only hope that it is given a fair chance by whoever takes over the reins when Tony Blair retires from office.
Velvet.
Post by: loulou on December 01, 2006, 09:21:59 pm
Calm down and have an apple.Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 01, 2006, 09:56:07 pm
I am perfectly calm thankyou.
I think if you are going to be personal about total strangers you might at least be realistic enough to expect some of them to object to it.
Assumptions were made and I corrected them. It is that simple.
Not all people are the same. Sometimes I think it is good for everyone to be reminded of that fact.
And thanks to Tony Blair, I can now afford to buy my own apples. But thankyou very much for your offer. 
Velvet.
Post by: oldspice on December 02, 2006, 10:32:14 am
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 02, 2006, 12:15:41 pm
@ oldspice
Thankyou.
Velvet.
Post by: oldspice on December 02, 2006, 01:36:08 pm
Post by: smurfboy on December 02, 2006, 01:40:54 pm
I think it is a sad reflection on our society that people still think of people like me as 'The Poor', simply because we are not as well off as others. As for the idea that all mothers of low income families spend all their money feeding their children crap, well honestly I would laugh if it didn't make me feel so much like crying....
'They'll probably still spend them at McDonalds'. What am I supposed to say to this????
Perhaps "Not if my dealer will take them for heroin??????"
I think this scheme has the potential to be one of the finest additions to the welfare bill in this country for many years. I only hope that it is given a fair chance by whoever takes over the reins when Tony Blair retires from office.
I completely agree on the McDonalds comment (see my earlier response). Apart from being rude and stereotypical, it was also poorly thought out. But I should say I don't think Lou meant 'poor' as an insult.
Post by: kevvosa on December 02, 2006, 05:40:03 pm
At the moment I don't have a job, so I'd class myself as 'poor' and I will say that it's true that many people around where I live do spend their money on junk. That's because you can go to the market and get vast amounts of chocolate and sweets for really cheap prices - plus it's more appealing than vegetables. I see loads more overweight 'poor' people at the market than anywhere else.
Personally I don't spend all my money on junk but like most people I do get sweets and chocolates now and then, mostly at weekends.
Post by: loulou on December 02, 2006, 08:54:20 pm
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 03, 2006, 01:28:44 am
Personally Lou Lou I see no reason for the manner of your post above which makes you appear very rude, and I am sure you aren't really.
At no point in my post did I say that I blamed Lou Lou for calling me poor, I merely stated that I objected to being called poor, which I do.
The BBC appear to think that anyone who does not earn a four figure income each week after tax is poor. But that does not give them, or anyone, the right to judge me. I am more than my income.
I buy sweets and chocolate, of course I do, otherwise why would I be here on 'The Chocolate Forum'. I absolutely love the stuff and probably eat far more of it than I should. (Galaxy is my fave at the moment.) 
I object to the assumption that just because I am on benefit I feed my children at MacDonalds. It is as Smurfboy said so stereotypical and rude that I was quite amazed.
Quote from: bounty hunterThey'll probably still spend them at McDonaldsYeah, that's right. McDonalds are going to take government fruit and veg vouchers. I suppose they'll start taking chocolate coins and fresh air too.
Loved that Absolutely priceless. Though I'm not sure I would give them my chocolate coins anyway Smurfboy!!! No-one gets those. 
And I must admit kevvosa when given the choice between an apple and a bar of chocolate I don't usually have to think too long before reaching for the choccy. But I do have a fairly balanced diet.
(1 equally sized bar of chocolate in each hand.) 
Hershey's chocolate kisses to everyone.
Velvet.
Post by: oldspice on December 03, 2006, 08:56:56 am
George Orwell once noted that the price of fish and chips and a cinema ticket were cheaper than than the price of a healthy lifestyle and that these 'luxuries' kept 'the poor' from revolution.
He would be shocked at the price of a cinema ticket these days, I'm sure.
Post by: on December 03, 2006, 09:37:46 am
My comments were fuelled by my suspicions of this government's motives and policies. If they hadn't spent all the money ****ing up Iraq how many vegetables could they have afforded then?
Just one little tip Velvet, courgettes are best steamed.
Post by: oldspice on December 03, 2006, 10:22:46 am
Although I agree that ionvading Iraq was a terrible sin, this governmant has done more to help people on a low income than any other since the 1948 Welfare Reform Act.
Not only that, but they are trying to tackle the causes of poverty - low aspiration (Sure Start programmes are trying to address this), single parenthood (schemes to help single mums and dads back into the workplace) poor basic skills (The National Literacy and Numeracy Project) heating allowances, the minimum wage - I could go on...
Post by: smurfboy on December 03, 2006, 03:33:27 pm
Post by: smurfboy on December 03, 2006, 03:35:50 pm
Personally Lou Lou I see no reason for the manner of your post above which makes you appear very rude, and I am sure you aren't really.
I don't see how Lou was rude - she simply corrected a misunderstanding.
Post by: kevvosa on December 03, 2006, 04:06:02 pm
Post by: loulou on December 03, 2006, 05:37:47 pm
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 03, 2006, 09:50:23 pm
Just one little tip Velvet, courgettes are best steamed.
Well there's been enough hot steam through this post to do a few pans of them to a turn.
Although I agree that ionvading Iraq was a terrible sin, this governmant has done more to help people on a low income than any other since the 1948 Welfare Reform Act.
Not only that, but they are trying to tackle the causes of poverty - low aspiration (Sure Start programmes are trying to address this), single parenthood (schemes to help single mums and dads back into the workplace) poor basic skills (The National Literacy and Numeracy Project) heating allowances, the minimum wage - I could go on...
Absolutely agree with all of that, never could stand the tories and the way they sold everything for a fast buck.
People conveniently forget that the Conservatives also took this country into war as recently as 1982 - the difference being they did nothing worthwhile to make up for it during 18 years in power.
Absolutely.
Seems I can't win. The bold text was to make sure it stood out and was read and was not skipped. I'm sure you realised that really velvet.
I really hadn't realised that loulou, it simply looked as if you were shouting in print.
It would seem that there have been misunderstandings between us on both sides and if I apologise to you for mine and my way of dealing with them then I at least am back on track. 
So please accept my apologies loulou. 
Post by: loulou on December 03, 2006, 09:52:44 pm
Post by: on December 04, 2006, 07:41:47 am
Post by: loulou on December 04, 2006, 08:50:09 am
Post by: kevvosa on December 04, 2006, 01:52:34 pm
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 05, 2006, 12:51:32 am
I see. I hadn't realised. I am sorry.
To me it just looked extremely 'in my face and loud', but then not being the kind of person who needs to emphasise her presence to get noticed, I suppose I was bound to find it unpleasant.
I will remember next time. Thankyou.
Post by: loulou on December 05, 2006, 09:13:20 am
Post by: kevvosa on December 05, 2006, 01:09:15 pm
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 05, 2006, 04:16:11 pm
My presence requires no emphasis.
Post by: loulou on December 05, 2006, 06:07:41 pm
Post by: kevvosa on December 05, 2006, 06:47:15 pm
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 05, 2006, 08:15:37 pm
There are people in the world who have what is known as Presence.
If you are one of these people and you enter a room, there is no-one who will not feel it on a subconscious level. Like a ripple that goes around the room announcing your approach to all.
For such people emphasis is like guilding the Lily. Totally unnecessary.
Post by: kevvosa on December 05, 2006, 09:01:33 pm
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 05, 2006, 10:01:04 pm
Post by: loulou on December 05, 2006, 10:02:33 pm
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 05, 2006, 10:14:56 pm
Post by: smurfboy on December 05, 2006, 10:48:47 pm
There are people in the world who have what is known as Presence.
If you are one of these people and you enter a room, there is no-one who will not feel it on a subconscious level. Like a ripple that goes around the room announcing your approach to all.
For such people emphasis is like guilding the Lily. Totally unnecessary.
With an attitude like that I am sure people notice you, but not necessarily for the reasons you think. That is quite possibly the most pretentious thing I have ever read - and given the drivel one of our former members used to spout along the same lines, that's saying a lot.
And if you 'need no emphasis', why do you insist on writing your username at the end of your posts when it's already there automatically?
Post by: loulou on December 05, 2006, 11:08:58 pm
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 05, 2006, 11:09:15 pm
It is true I have seen it happen, but at no point did I say I was one of those people. I only wish I was.
People notice me for all the wrong reasons. I would be the person in a corner of the room trying to remember to breathe or mowing people down in my haste to escape. Oh yes people notice me alright. Very pretentious I am.
As for using my name it is merely politeness. Like signing your name on a card or letter or saying goodbye before you hang up the phone, but since politeness is obviously not wanted here I will remove it.
Post by: smurfboy on December 05, 2006, 11:16:36 pm
Anyway back to topic....
Good idea I think - this thread has all got a bit much. I think we should draw a line under all the confusion and try and get along.
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 05, 2006, 11:19:22 pm
To qualify for the vouchers you must be in reciept of income support or invalidity benefit, and have a child or children of qualifying age.
Post by: kevvosa on December 05, 2006, 11:20:39 pm
should draw a line under all the confusion and try and get along."
Agreed
Post by: loulou on December 05, 2006, 11:44:38 pm
To qualify for the vouchers you must be in reciept of income support or invalidity benefit, and have a child or children of qualifying age.
I don't qualify.
Post by: Velvet Darkness on December 06, 2006, 12:34:40 am
To be honest I wish I didn't.
I wouldn't be without my kids but the rest of my qualifying traits I could happily live without.
Post by: loulou on December 06, 2006, 07:27:26 am
Post by: kevvosa on December 06, 2006, 07:55:26 am
Post by: loulou on December 06, 2006, 07:57:00 am
Post by: on December 06, 2006, 08:37:44 am
Post by: Cherry_Ripe on December 06, 2006, 08:43:39 am
I don't like shops such as Iceland who are promoted as selling family food when the majority of their food is processed, turkey twizzler type food. Iceland doesn't even sell frozen fruit.
We have garden centres locally with greengrocer's shops attached, and not only can you buy fresh, locally produced fruit and veg but you can also buy frozen. I like the frozen fruit pick and mix; there are selections such as red berries, tropical fruit and such, you scoop them into bags and buy by weight.
Post by: goldencup on December 06, 2006, 05:06:44 pm