Citation
(2003), "Free school fruit arrives in London classrooms", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 33 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2003.01733bab.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Free school fruit arrives in London classrooms
Free fruit is being delivered to schools across London as part of the expansion of the National School Fruit Scheme. Public Health Minister Hazel Blears was at Dalmain Primary School to see the first apples, bananas, pears and satsumas being distributed to pupils.
By Christmas 2002 nearly 300,000, 4-6 year old children in 1,700 schools in London received a free piece of fruit each day. This will bring the total number of children being given fruit at school each day to over 600,000, around one quarter of infant school children in the country.
It was announced in May 2002 that London would be the second region to benefit from the scheme, which is the biggest government programme to improve child health and nutrition since the introduction of school milk in 1946. With money from the New Opportunities Fund, the National School Fruit Scheme will be rolled out region by region. From 2004 the scheme will entitle all 4-6 year olds in infant schools a free piece of fruit each school day.
For information contact: Department of Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS. Tel: (Dept of Health) 020 7210 3000; (Media Centre) 0870 000 6244; Fax: 020 7210 5433/4; Web site: www.doh.gov.uk