Citation
(2004), "Free school fruit", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 34 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2004.01734cab.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Free school fruit
Free school fruit
A scheme that gives free fruit to school children will be rolled out nationwide, Health Secretary John Reid announced. One million children are already benefiting from the scheme.
The National School Fruit Scheme (NSFS) was set-up to promote healthy eating and help tackle obesity. It has been operating in four pilot regions since April 2002 through good cause Lottery money provided by the New Opportunities Fund.
The Government is now investing £377 million to deliver its commitment of free fruit for every 4-6 year old child. Around 440 million pieces of fruit will be distributed to over 2 million children in some 18,000 schools across England.
A new survey shows that children who regularly eat fruit in school as part of the scheme also consume more fruit outside school. Eight in ten parents said that their child often or always ate the fruit provided at school.
Mr Reid said the scheme is a key element in efforts to combat obesity and encourage a healthier population.