Four Lancashire Areas Chosen for Healthy Food Funding

October 4, 2026 - 00:39

Blackpool, Burnley, Rossendale, and Pendle are among 45 councils selected for £222k funding.

The four Lancashire areas are part of a wider national scheme aimed at improving access to healthier food. The funding, totalling £222,000, will be shared among the selected councils to support local projects that encourage better eating habits and tackle diet related health problems.

Each area will receive a portion of the money to develop programmes suited to its own needs. These could include cooking classes, help for families on tight budgets, and work with local shops to make fresh produce more available. The aim is to make healthy choices easier for people who currently struggle to afford or find good food.

Blackpool, Burnley, Rossendale, and Pendle were chosen because they face particular challenges around food poverty and poor diet. Health officials say these places have higher than average rates of conditions linked to unhealthy eating, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Council leaders welcomed the funding but noted it is a modest sum for four areas with significant needs. They said the money would be used carefully to support the most effective local projects and to build partnerships with community groups, schools, and food banks.

The scheme is expected to run over the coming year, with each council reporting on how the money was spent and what difference it made. Further rounds of funding may follow if the results are strong. For now, the four Lancashire areas will begin planning how to turn the £222k into lasting improvements for their residents.