Appetite for Organic: promising results from Bridging the Gap pilot in Tower Hamlets

A new report from Bridging the Gap pilot in Tower Hamlets, published by Alexandra Rose Charity, demonstrates how local retail models such as the Teviot Centre Food Co-op in Poplar alongside Rose Voucher models can enable access to organic fruit and veg and drive up the amount of fruit and veg eaten by households.

Food that is good for people and the planet is currently more expensive than food that is bad for health and produced in ways that damage the planet. Bridging the Gap is demonstrating the most effective financial mechanisms that can enable access to climate and nature friendly food for people on low incomes. The programme is delivering ten pilot projects across the UK led by pilot partners working on the ground. 

The mid point report, Appetite for Organic, from the Tower Hamlets Food Co-ops pilot reveals how shoppers on average are spending a whopping £8 on organic produce instead of non-organic, with many residents able for the first time to afford organic produce. This is thanks to a 45% discount on organic food combined with Rose Vouchers, allowing many households living on low incomes to try organic produce for the first time.

One local resident, who is now a regular of the co-op, says:

“It’s given me the opportunity to use organic fruit and vegetables at an affordable price for the first time.” 

And the benefits ripple through the supply chain, with farmers in this pilot getting 84% of the revenue for their produce as a result of the shorter, farmer focussed, supply chain Better Food Shed provides. This is a staggering figure when compared with the poor deal that farmers get for supplying the big retailer supply chains.

Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg are playing a large role in supporting this affordability, with 37% of the Teviot Centre food co-op customers receiving Rose Vouchers. It is clear that cash and voucher schemes can offer dual climate and health benefits for communities.

The pilot is due to end in late 2025 when Alexandra Rose Charity will produce a final report evaluating the learnings from the pilot. 

Bridging the Gap is a programme led by Sustain, Growing Communities and Alexandra Rose Charity with nation partners Food Sense Wales, Nourish NI and Nourish Scotland. 

Read the report

Find out more about Bridging the Gaps pilots