Fruit in Schools a success in Bay

The Government’s Fruit in Schools programme has been a hit in the Bay of Plenty. File Photo.

As of November 2016, the government's Fruit in Schools initiative has reached 46 schools in the Bay of Plenty, benefiting 6928 pupils and 812 staff.

Nationwide the scheme has had a positive impact on 547 schools.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says eating well is important to optimise learning.

'That's why Fruit in Schools is so beneficial to students.

'Staff at the schools also take part to help encourage students to try new things and influence their healthy eating decisions.

'Fruit in Schools complements the Childhood Obesity Plan. New Zealand is one of the first OECD countries to have a target and a comprehensive plan to tackle childhood obesity.”

Following the Ministry of Education's decile funding changes, all existing schools have remained in the Fruit in Schools programme, with an additional 77 others eligible to participate.

As a result, a total of 547 schools across the country have benefitted in 2016, covering around 103,000 students and around 12,000 staff.

Schools receive high quality seasonal fruit and vegetables, and they sample up to 24 different types of fruit or vegetable during the year.

By the time schools break up for the summer break, more than 20 million servings will have been dished up.

Maketu School acting principal Regan Williams says the programme has been beneficial in their school.

'We have the fruit out at interval and lunchtimes and the teachers take it into their classes each morning. We also use the fruit for language experience activities where the students make smoothies etc. and then write and talk about their learning experiences.”

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