A new fruit and veg stall has opened outside the main entrance of the Alexandra Hospital with the introduction of a new stall. The stall follows a successful launch at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site.
The stall has been set up by the trust in conjunction with the company Fresh Ideas 4 You, to give staff, patients and visitors the opportunity to buy quality fruit and vegetables. Opening hours are from 8.30 – 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
James Longmore, Director of Asset Management and ICT for Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust, said: “We’ve worked closely with the company to make sure the stall is pitched right and hope it will be a fully utilised by patients and staff.
“It’s a good healthy edition to the hospital grounds, and part of the reason the stall was introduced is to try and discourage people from smoking around the entrance of the hospital. There’s something about people not wanting to smoke around fresh food, so we hope this will help. This, along with the stall at the Worcester site, is the trust putting out a message about healthy eating and healthy living to staff, visitors and patients.”
Donna Preston Senior Staff Nurse in the Discharge Lounge, said: “Hospital staff can now get quality fruit and veg on their doorstep. It’s so easy to buy it as you go into work or on your way home. It’s ideal. It’s also great to see visitors buying fruit for patients too.”
David Woodhead, one of the Fresh Ideas 4 You partners, said: “It’s great to have a stall at the hospital where I’m able to provide quality fruit and veg for people visiting loved-ones and hard-working hospital staff.
“I’ve been selling fruit in Birmingham since I was 12-years-old, so I’d like to think I know a thing or two about selling healthy food, and this initiative is something that me and my talented business partner Anthony Goulding are proud to be involved in.”
The stall has been introduced for a trial three-month period and is set to become permanent if it’s supported with custom.
