fresh-evidence.html

The majority of respondents felt confident that they had sufficient culinary knowledge and skills to be able to use a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, but 5% said that they would like more information on cooking, and a series of cookery classes (run by MERCi with funding from Sure-Start), has recently begun to address this need. Further initiatives could build on this _ perhaps aiming at children, who receive little cookery instruction in school, to encourage a knowledge and enjoyment of food preparation that is in danger of being lost to a whole generation.

An interest in growing some of their own food was expressed by a small section of the community. Many respondents had memories of food growing, either themselves or other members of their family, and spoke of the enjoyment it had brought them. Given the multiple benefits that could be gained _ exercise, new skills, shared interests, etc. as well as cheap, fresh food, this interest is to be encouraged and built on.

It is clear that any initiatives to increase fresh food consumption in Ancoats and Miles Platting must be easily accessible to all sections of the community, and retail outlets must offer value for money in the form of choice, freshness and reasonable prices. Given that 45%(88) of respondents said that they would eat more fruit and vegetables if they could buy them nearer to home, there is little doubt that demand exists. The poor health record of the local community makes this impossible to ignore, and it is hoped that appropriate agencies will be able to work together to provide opportunities for this demand to be met. Indeed, the NHS document "Coronary Heart Disease _ Guidance for implementing the preventive aspects of the National Service Framework" states that diet is one of the key risk factors in the prevention of CHD and that "it is important to identify the barriers to dietary change in the local population and then select interventions to address them. Suggested interventions include setting up community owned retailing and food cooperatives to introduce affordable supplies, as well as cook and taste sessions, healthy tuck shops, community cafes, growing schemes and community shops.

The current plans for regeneration of the neighbourhood of Miles Platting and Ancoats make this an ideal time to initiate changes that will lead to a feeling of involvement and ownership by the people who live in the area, and the views of local people must be at the heart of any development plans. Following up on the issues outlined above would show a commitment to providing the opportunities that the local community seeks to be able to improve their diet, and consequently their health.

Recommendations:

To research solutions developed by other communities

To carry out further research locally to see which of those solutions are preferred by local people, and are feasible locally

environment

community

enterprise

education



				Contents. Executive Summary. Introduction to the area of Ancoats and Miles Platting. The Research. Aims and Objectives of the research. Methodology. Sample group. Procedure. Constraints of the research. The Results. Questionnaires to residents. Questionnaires to shops. Conclusion. Recommendations. References.
		Manchester Environmental Resource Centre initiative. MERCi (started in 1996) is a charity supporting people to make their communities - and the city - more sustainable. By this we mean a city that is greener, healthier, safer and more equitable. In October 1999 MERCi purchased a 5 storey warehouse in Ancoats which is a tool to work towards this aim. The centre (known as Bridge-5 Mill) is a working example of how to live more sustainably in a city. The mill was refurbished employing and training 16 local unemployed people. MERCi used over 80% reclaimed materials, incorporating a range of low cost energy, water and waste saving measures. The centre provides meeting space; office facilities; and support for community projects, voluntary groups and small environmentally friendly businesses; an educational exhibition; a public information area; a bank of computers with free internet access, and a wide range of training courses and events.



	Executive Summary. The effects on the local economy of large retail developments built on the borders of established communities are well documented, and MERCi is developing its urban food strategy as a result of concerns about local food outlets being lost to large supermarket chains. This has left some areas of the city with not only an inadequate number of food outlets, but has also created difficulties for residents of those localities in accessing a healthy diet, particularly with regard to fresh fruit and vegetables. Low-income areas are disproportionately affected by such developments. The aim of the Urban Food Strategy is to identify the nature of local food access problems, and initiate sustainable schemes to offer greater choice and better quality of food to the people of Manchester. The work so far. MERCi has begun its work in its immediate locality, the Miles Platting and Ancoats area of the city, initially with a research project to measure the extent of the problem locally. Some of the aims of the research were: • To obtain information from local residents about their day to day consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, and means of accessing fresh foods, with the emphasis on local availability • To gain an approximate measure of any deficiency in consumption of fruit and vegetables by the local population • To identify any problems experienced by local people in accessing fresh foods, and assess current provision in the local area • To identify potential for initiating schemes to improve current provision of fresh foods in the Miles Platting and Ancoats area, and local interest in doing so A questionnaire survey was carried out with local residents. Questionnaires were distributed by various means, to 10%, and were returned by 4%, of the population. Out of a response of 194 people: • 86% of people said that they had shops within walking distance of where they lived, but only 12% said that they used them for their main food shopping. • 37% of residents said that there was not enough choice locally, 37% said the shops were too expensive. • 53% said that their household did not eat fruit and/or vegetables every day _ 56% of these had children. • 45% of people said that they would increase their fruit and vegetable intake if they could shop nearer to home: 27% saying that they would do so if they were more affordable. Although some people said that they were not worried about the lack of fresh foods in their diet, the overall picture was that the majority of people are aware of what constitutes a healthy diet and would like to eat healthily. In order to access healthier foods at acceptable prices, they are having to make costly, inconvenient journeys - or do without.

							Introduction. The Area: The area of Ancoats and Miles Platting has a population of approximately 6,000 people, a high proportion of whom are unemployed or on a low income. The Multiple Deprivation Index, (which measures income, employment, health, education, housing and access to services), ranked the Central Ward, which incudes Miles Platting and Ancoats, 41^st out of a total of 8,414 wards in England. Over 67% of children aged 0 -16 in the ward were living in families claiming means tested benefits. The area has a mortality rate of almost double the national average with high incidence of deaths from cancers, circulatory and respiratory diseases.1 The area covered is fairly self-contained, the boundaries being defined by the major roadways of Oldham Road, Bradford Road, Great Ancoats Street and Hulme Hall Lane and mainly consisting of council owned housing, some of which have become owner-occupied. The houses are mainly short-run terraces, most having small gardens to front and back. There are also several high-rise blocks in the area, these days being occupied by single people or childless couples. One such block has the dubious claim to fame of being the only high rise sheltered housing complex in Britain. The area can be difficult to navigate, as many of the roads are cul-de-sacs, or come to an abrupt end at the canal, which cuts through the centre of Ancoats and Miles Platting. The area's industrial heritage is illustrated by the buildings at the centre and boundaries of the area, many of them derelict, but some now being converted for community or business use. The area is currently the subject of a Private Finance Initiative Scheme, as part of a wider regeneration of East Manchester. Public buildings include a public swimming baths, which also houses a gym, and a library. There are five churches, (the Catholic one having its own social club), three primary schools, and one under-fives centre. There are three sheltered housing complexes, and several pubs. There is also one health centre, and two doctors surgeries. The small number of shops includes two post offices, a chip shop, several small general shops and a butcher. There is one small supermarket _ an Aldi _ towards one corner of the area. There are a number of places where groups of local residents meet _ many of the churches, for example, have social groups which meet regularly. There is also a network of tenants and residents groups which meet on a regular basis. The ethnic make up of the area, is largely white British, but there is a small Vietnamese community and a small number of Afro-Caribbean families.


*"I like my child to be able to eat healthily. Once you do your shop at the supermarket, it is easy to forget things and so have to do without, and it takes so much time to go back."*



	The Research. Total Target Population: Residents of Miles Platting and Ancoats Sample: Total questionnaires given out: 612 (10% of total population) Total responses: 194 (4% of population) Method: Questionnaire survey, mainly face-to-face, carried out by Urban Food Research Worker, with assistance from colleagues during September _ December 2002 Questionnaire piloted: East Feast Festival (major changes made after this) Broadhaven Walk Post Office (minor changes made) Questionnaires were taken out to various community groups, waiting rooms at baby clinics, outside shops, and at public events. Most of the questionnaires were completed at the time the respondent was approached, with help being given if necessary. A small proportion of the questionnaires were sent out via a contact, for completion and collected later. This method, in most cases, resulted in less responses than where the researcher had been present. A large number of questionnaires were given out through schoolchildren, via head teachers, which unfortunately gave an overall poor response _ (10 out of 110, 12 out of 120, and 35 out of 200). The largest number of responses came from baby clinics, and standing outside shops. Aims and Objectives of the Research. From previous work we knew that lack of access to fresh fruit and vegetables locally was an issue for some residents, and wanted to find out how widely this affected local people. The overall aim of the research was to identify the need for initiatives to improve the diets of people in Ancoats and Miles Platting, particularly consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables. The objectives were: To reach as many residents of Miles Platting and Ancoats as possible within the constraints of the project and interview them about their day to day consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, and means of accessing fresh foods, with the emphasis on local availability.
				"I think there should be nearer shops as it is a pain sometimes waiting for taxis I need a food shop near my house."


		To gain an approximate measure of any insufficiency in consumption of fruit and vegetables by the local population. To identify any problems experienced by local people in accessing fresh foods, and assess current provision in local area. To assess local people's awareness of the importance of consumption of fruit and vegetables in their daily diet. To identify potential for initiating schemes to improve current provision of fresh foods in the Miles Platting and Ancoats area, and local interest in doing so.
	*"As a mother of two small children, one five, the other fourteen months, it can be hard to get to and from shops, but I prefer fresh meat and veg to frozen."*

			Map of Ancoats and Miles Platting.



*"Would like greengrocers, more local services and a local bank."*



	Methodology. Data was collected in two ways: By quesionnaire based survey of local people. Questionnaires were either completed by the researcher in conjunction with the resident, or were given out through local community groups or bodies for completion and return at a later date. By questionnaire based survey of local shops which was completed by face to face interview between the researcher and shop owner or representative. Sample. The target population for the sample was the whole population of Miles Platting and Ancoats and we tried to make our sample as representative of the local population as possible. Responses were monitored throughout the process to check on this, and figures compared with those supplied by Manchester City Council and the Manchester Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). Some figures were not available for the specific area we covered, and we therefore had to rely on statistics provided for the whole of the PCT area, or the electoral ward. An opportunity sample was taken, with residents being interviewed by the researcher or colleague, outside shops and in health care clinic waiting areas, at tenants and residents groups, at local church and social groups, pubs and accessing parents of school-aged children through their schools. In some cases, questionnaires were sent out through community group leaders who were responsible for the distribution and collection of them. Questionnaire based face-to-face interviews were carried out by the researcher or colleague with all local shop owners (or their representatives) in the area. Groups visited: Tidex Tenants Association Reginald Latham Court Tenants Association Bollington Road Tenants Association Landos Court Tenants Association Winstanley Road Childrens Centre Church of Apostles coffee shop Butler Court Tenants Association Tenants of Sycamore Court Sheltered Housing Scheme Cookery classes organised by MERCi Lunch club, St Cuthberts Church Trinity Church Friendship Group Questionnaires were sent home to the parents of children at the following schools: St Anns & Corpus Christie Primary School St Marks Primary School Nicholas Varley Community Primary School



							Passers-by were interviewed outside the following shops: Aldi Supermarket, Varley Street, Miles Platting The Post Office, Broadhaven Walk, Miles Platting and people in the waiting area of Victoria Mill Baby Clinic, Lower Vickers Street, Miles Platting Patrons of the following pubs were interviewed The Apollo Hotel, Varley Street, Miles Platting The Bradford Hotel, Bradford Road, Ancoats Questionnaires were also sent to the Vietnamese Womens Support Group via the link worker and Cardroom Estate Tenants and Residents Association, via the group contact Procedure. Because of the variety of contacts used for the survey, procedures varied depending on the type of group. The questionnaire consisted of 18 questions in all, mainly multiple choice, which could be answered by ticking a box, but with space for the interviewee to explain if their chosen answer was "other". There was one open ended question asking for any comments on local fresh food provision. A display showing photographs and descriptions of possible solutions to the lack of local fresh food provision had been prepared. Where possible, this was taken along to groups either at the time the questionnaire was administered, or in some cases, was left where it could be seen for several days beforehand, to allow plenty of time for the information to be absorbed. It was also left in the local public library for a week or so, and at public events. People were interviewed directly face to face outside Aldi supermarket, Broadhaven Walk Post Office, and in the waiting area of the baby clinic. The researcher and/or colleague introduced themselves and gave an explanation of the purpose of the survey. If the person was willing to be interviewed, the questionnaire was followed strictly, and completed by the interviewer, with an opportunity at the end of the questionnaire for "any other comments". Where groups were visited, a verbal introduction to the background and purpose of the work was given by the researcher or colleague. This usually led to some discussion of local facilities, and questions being asked about the use of the information gathered. Most respondents at these groups completed the questionnaires then and there, with assistance from the researcher or colleague if required _ the usual reason for needing help was forgotten glasses. This also gave an opportunity for any questions to be answered.



	For some community groups, it was not possible to undertake a visit _ because of over-full agendas, or inconvenient dates. In these cases, questionnaires were distributed by the main group contact, accompanied by a letter written by the researcher, explaining the purpose and nature of the research. The respondents were asked to complete the questionnaire by a given date, and these were either collected by the community group contact, or sent directly to MERCi. In schools, some work was done with a number of children around fruit and vegetable tasting and identification. This tied into the National Curriculum Key Stage 2, and in all schools the classes visited were Year 3 and 4. A variety of fruit and vegetables was taken into the classes for the children to identify and taste. Several activities were also carried out _ children were asked to write down what they had eaten the day before, to encourage them to think about fruit and vegetables in their diet. They were also given a fruit and vegetable identification quiz, a word search, and following the tasting, were asked to write down or draw their favourites. If time allowed, a graph of the classes' favourite fruits was done as a whole class exercise. The work was followed up in school assemblies by the headteacher, and questionnaires were then given out to every child in the school to take home for parents to complete. To encourage greater response, returned questionnaires were entered into a prize draw for a basket of fruit, which was presented in a school assembly a week or so later. The only non-English speaking group contacted was the Vietnamese Womens Support Group. The advice of the NHS Vietnamese Link Worker was sought in approaching this group, who kindly agreed to distribute questionnaires to the group, to explain the purpose and nature of the work, and to assist with completion. The completed questionnaires were then returned to the researcher. Constraints of the research. Timing The worker was employed part time (17 ½ hours per week) for six months, starting from July 2002. August is traditionally a "quiet" month when people are on holiday, schools are closed, and groups tend not to meet, so, to some extent, this delayed the start of the research. Although, initially, we did discuss the possibility of participatory appraisal (PA) type methods of consultation, because of the limited length of time available, we decided that a straightforward questionnaire would be likely to bring about a bigger response within the short length of time available to us. Reaching our sample We attempted to reach a good cross section of the population, and various means were used to do this. In terms of the sample being representative, the statistics we used applied to Central Manchester Primary Care Trust population, or the Central ward, whose boundary differ slightly from the specific area of Miles Platting and Ancoats. However, in the case of community groups, contact with the groups is often dependent on the interest and


						judgement of the named contact person, and there were at least three tenants and residents groups which were not reached for this reason. One had very full agendas at that time, and so the secretary of the group agreed to distribute the questionnaires to the group, rather than the researcher attending a meeting. This resulted in no responses at all. One other tenants and residents group was not holding meetings at that time, and the secretary felt that, as most members had jobs and cars, they would not be interested in the research. One of the sheltered housing schemes was not visited as the secretary of the tenants association felt that the group was "sick of consultations". The landlady of one of the pubs we requested to visit did not give permission, as she felt that the patrons would not be interested. Reaching speakers of other languages In the case of the Vietnamese Womens Group, because of language barriers, the linkworker agreed to go through the questionnaire with the women, and this brought a good response. In most cases, the researcher or colleague was on hand to assist with the questionnaires if necessary and very few people who were asked, refused to complete it. Nevertheless, there are some people who, for their own reasons, dislike completing forms. Geographical boundaries For the sake of simplicity, the georaphical boundaries were defined as the main roads on three sides of the area _ Old Mill Street, Oldham Road and Hulme Hall Lane. The fourth side comes to a "natural" boundary with residential streets giving way to industrial and commercial buildings.
	*"Needs shops nearer _ taxis are expensive. My friend cannot get on buses."*



	The Results. Questionnaires to residents The most successful response rates resulted where questionnaires had been completed at the time the researcher, or a colleague, presented them. Those given out by other contacts and by schools brought a very low response. Who responded Responses were monitored throughout the process, to check that we were reaching a representative sample. We compared our figures with those supplied by Manchester City Council and the Manchester Primary Care Trusts, although these were not available for the specific area we covered, and we had to rely on statistics provided for the whole of the PCT area or the ward. Only those respondents who lived in Miles Platting or Ancoats were included in the results. The age breakdown of the sample is shown below: 58% (115) of people interviewed lived in a household with children and adults, 17% (33) in an adults only household, while 22% (44) of people lived alone. 67% of people were not in paid employment at the time of the interview (Central Ward total unemployed 87%). 23% (45) of people considered themselves to have a disability (21.5% for Central Ward). 41% (80) owned, or had regular use of a car.

Whilst almost 50% of people use their local shops for milk, bread, and items they have run out of or forgotten, only 11% use them to buy fresh foods, and 12% for their main food shoppin

How people shop

Over half of people said that they did their main food shopping on a weekly basis _ a number of these said that they also shopped daily for items such as bread or milk.

Although 86% (170) of people said that they had shops within walking distance of where they lived, only 12% (25) of these said that they used them for their main food shopping. The chart below shows to what extent people use local shops:

Respondents were asked for the reason why they chose to shop further away from home.

Other reasons given included: the local shop is "very dirty"; a member of the Vietnamese community said "we use more ingredients and different vegetables than are sold in Aldi" (the nearest supermarket for the area); "the environment around the shops is poor. After dark, youths hang around and this can be intimidating". A few, mainly older people, said that they saw shopping further afield as an enjoyable trip out.


	Respondents were asked where they shopped instead of local shops. The vast majority (83%) said that they shopped at a supermarket _ these included Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Iceland, Netto, Morrisons, and Wing Yip Chinese Supermarket. 24% used a market and 1% said they used a petrol station mini-market. Although 5% said they shopped at "other" places, when named, these tended to be supermarkets from the list above. How they get there. Many people used different forms of transport to get to shops than they used for returning with heavy shopping _ for example, walking there and getting a taxi or bus home. Some people went by bus, but were picked up by car by friends or relatives for their homeward journey. Other people said that they used different forms of transport at different times, depending on where they were shopping, or how much they had to carry. 15% walked both ways. Of those who did not have use of a car, taxi was the most popular form of transport for returning home. Although 29% (57) walked on the outward journey when shopping, 30% (59) returned by taxi and 18% (36) by bus. Fares varied greatly _ from £0.40p (concessionary return bus fare) to £12.00 return for people using a taxi. Fruit and vegetables. Only 42% (83) of people interviewed said that their household ate fruit and/or vegetables on a daily basis. Of the 53% (102) who said their household had fruit and vegetables less often than once a day, 56% (65) had children, 42% (27) of whom were not worried about the lack of consumption of fresh foods. 43% (28) of those with children who had fruit and vegetables less than once a day had use of a car. 61% of people who were living alone did not eat fruit and vegetables every day _ of these, 7% (2 people) had use of a car. Those who did eat fruit and vegetables less than once a day said they would increase their consumption if:
			*"The environment around the shops is poor. After dark, youths hang around the shops and this can be intimidating."*

			*"There are a few local places, but they are unaffordable, and they don't stock a lot of vegetables or fish."*



	(More than one answer per person could be given). The responses showed that 45% (88) of people said that they would increase their fruit and vegetable intake if they could shop nearer to home, with 27% (53) saying that they would do so if they were more affordable. 5% (11) of people were interested in growing some of their own fruit and vegetables, and 5% (10) said that they would like more information on cooking with fresh foods. 10% (21) of people said that they already grew some form of fruit or vegetables, or that they had a relative, friend or neighbour who grew them for them. This took various forms - an apple or pear tree in the garden, father supplying potatoes from his garden, or growing tomatoes in a greenhouse. Of those who would like to be able to shop nearer home, 65% lived in a household with children, 21% lived alone, and 14% lived in an adults only household. 77% of those people who considered themselves to have a disability would like to be able to shop nearer to home. Of those who said no, 51% (19) had use of a car. A number of people said that there was not enough choice locally, and that they would like more shops and cheaper prices. The difference in price between local shops and supermarkets was highlighted by some residents, though opinions were divided on whether the Aldi supermarket was expensive or cheap. Besides fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, and ethnic ingredients were other foods that people would like to be able to buy locally. People of varying ages reported that there used to be "lovely" shops within the area _ fruit shop, butchers, cake shop, mini-market, paper shops and hairdressers. The general belief seemed to be that an increase in rates had forced the shops to close. There is a local butcher's shop, to which some residents were extremely loyal, yet others did not seem to be aware of it. How people would like to be able to shop Respondents were asked whether there were any other foods that they would like to be able to buy locally. 4% (8 people) said that they would like to be able to buy bread, and 26% (51 people) said they would like to be able to buy fish. Of the 77% of people who said that there were "other" foods they would like to be able to buy locally, all of these said meat, with the exception of one person who said they would like to be able to buy Asian foods, and two people who said West Indian foods. A number of people said that more local shops and more variety were needed _ one woman said that her friend was unable to get on buses, and so they were forced to take a taxi when shopping. Inconvenience in terms of time was brought up on several occasions - some people spoke of the time spent waiting for taxis or buses. Others mentioned the difficulties faced if anything had been forgotten. Because of the limited choice offered by local shops, they had to go back to the supermarket or do without - "I like my child to be able to eat healthily. Once you do your shop at the supermarket, it is easy to forget things, and so have to do without, and it takes so much time to go back". Some mothers of young children spoke of not wanting to rely on frozen food, despite difficulties getting to shops regularly - "as a mother of two small children, one five, the other fourteen months, it can be hard to get to and from shops, but I prefer fresh meat and vegetables to frozen". Pre-packaging of fresh foods cropped up time and time again. Many people, particularly those living alone or on a tight budget preferred to buy the number of fruits or vegetables they wanted but this was not possible with pre-packaged quantities. People also commented on the freshness of food bought locally _ even in the small local supermarket, there seemed to be a general agreement that fresh foods bought there needed to be eaten within a day or two before they started to go bad _ again a particular problem for those in smaller households. Questionnaires to shops A questionnaire was also designed to be carried out with local shop owners in the area. These were administered by the researcher and/or colleague. These were either carried out on the spot with the person who happened to be serving in the shop at the time or, if they preferred, were left to be completed by the owner. Questionnaires were taken to 7 shops and were completed by 6. 4 of the shops were within the area itself, two were on the border. Fruit and vegetable availability. All the shops sold a full range of tinned vegetables (see list on questionnaire). All shops except one stocked some frozen vegetables, two shops selling all the vegetables on the list, the others selling a more limited range. The shops were asked which fresh fruits and vegetables they stocked. Two shops sold a wide range, incuding peppers, mushrooms, broccoli and
		*"Aldi is very expensive. Could do with lots more local shops to bring life back. Need more personal services, fresher food. Very old food these days."*

*"There used to be lovely shops _ a row with fruit shop, butchers, cake shop, mini-market, paper shop and hairdressers, but the council put the rates up and they all had to close."*



							cauliflower. One shop stocked potatoes only and two shops stocked only two or three types of vegetables. The range of fruit on offer was limited to only apples and bananas (4 shops), oranges (2 shops), lemons (1 shop). Two of the shops did not stock any fruit at all. Who uses the shops and what they buy All of the shops said that they had over 20 customers a day _ four said they served over 30 people per day. All the shops except one said that the majority of their customers were within the 31-50 age range, the exception having the majority of its customers within the 19-30 age range. Most of the shops were busiest on Monday. The shops said that their best selling products were tinned goods (3), bread (2), cabbage (1). All of the shops said that customers never asked for them to stock any fresh fruit and vegetables to be stocked that were not already. Three of the shops said that fruit and vegetables sold well. Of those that did not sell it, the reasons given were lack of demand (2 shops), and that the fruit and vegetables do not keep well (1). What the shop owners think The shops were shown a list of factors that might have influenced their sales in recent years, and asked for their opinion as to whether they had or not. Their replies were as follows: Shops were asked whether they would consider selling fruit and vegetables on a trial basis to see whether demand had increased. 4 shops replied, two would, two would not. When asked whether they would consider selling fresh fruit and vegetables on a sale or return basis, three said that they would, whilst two would not. One who would not said that they thought lack of demand would be a problem.
	*"We do need more shops that sell fresh fruit and vegetables, but also things for gardens, flowers, bulbs, compost, etc."*

	*"There are a few local places, but they are unaffordable, and they don't stock a lot of vegetables or fish."*



Conclusion Talking to local residents has shown that the majority feel much inconvenienced by the lack of shops near to their home, and not just food shops. The lack of a bank, haberdashers, DIY shop and gardening shop were also lamented. Although the vast majority of local residents use local shops for some items, most find them less than satisfactory for a number of reasons. As in other areas, local shops are being challenged by the opening of larger supermarkets on the periphery of the area. Using shops further afield is viewed as a trip out for those with time on their hands, but for others it can be a time-consuming and expensive chore, and the majority of local people questioned have expressed a strong wish to be able to do their main shopping nearer to where they live. Many of the older people remembered food being delivered to their homes _ a grocery van selling a variety of goods, a fish van, and bread delivery van were all spoken of, and particularly in the sheltered housing complexes, people favoured the idea of a similar scheme being set up. One resident of a sheltered housing scheme said of her shopping trips "I am browned off with it. Crossing Varley Street _ because it's a bend, it's difficult to cross. My friend, sometimes she gets down there (to local shops) and then can't get back again". The questionnaires to shops confirmed a lack of fresh produce in the shops, particularly fruit, though tinned and frozen are more widely available, The majority of local customers appeared to be in the age range who are likely to have families _ ie 31-50 age range, and responses to our questionnaire shows that they are not buying fruit and vegetables locally. From the point of view of fresh produce, there is a sizeable proportion of families with young children who score well below the "Five a Day" which is the current daily recommendation per person. This is a cause for concern, particularly in young children, as the importance of establishing good eating habits in the early years is well documented. However, although many said that they would increase their fruit and vegetable intake given certain conditions, it is worrying that 42% of those families who had low consumption of fresh foods said that they were not worried about it. 43% of those families had access to a car indicating that the reason is unlikely to be one of physical access to shopping facilities. It would appear then that, in some cases, there may still be some lack of awareness of the importance of a healthy diet, and some health education input may be beneficial. Although the questionnaire did not include a specific question about food budgets, the subject of cost came up time and time again, with local shops not being seen as giving good value for money. The general feeling was that perishable foods sold in the local shops were expensive, and often past their best, and so not worth buying. However, despite that, three out of six of the local shops interviewed, said that fruit and vegetables sold well, and that more food items were sold than non-grocery items such as newspapers or cigarettes.
		"I am browned off with it. Crossing Varley Street _ because it's a bend, it's difficult to cross. My friend, sometimes she gets down there (to local shops) and then can't get back again ".

	*"No butchers in area and in supermarkets you have to buy a large amount."*


			Fresh Findings. Food mapping pack MERCi has also produced a guide to food mapping, based on our own experience of carrying out this research. The guide assesses the usefulness of methods we used, highlighting possible pitfalls and suggesting some alternative methods. It includes information on: • getting started collecting background information and getting to know your area • how to make useful contacts with your community • suggestions on where and how to carry out your consultation • local and national policy around food issues • useful references and websites The guide is aimed at anyone planning to carry out consultation on food-related projects within a local community and is available from MERCi.

			Manchester Environmental Resource Centre initiative (MERCi) Bridge-5 Mill, 22a Beswick Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 7HR. [t] 0161 273 1736 [e] merci@bridge-5.org [w] www.bridge-5.org Charity no 1077362 Company no 3518490 P



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