Bay of Plenty MP and Minister of Health Tony Ryall has announced government will continue the Fruit in Schools programme, although there will be funding cuts to its administration component.
"When introduced, the previous government said Fruit in Schools funding would be for three years and after that schools would be expected to pay for the fruit themselves," says Tony.

Merivale Primary School students on tour around Apata kiwifruit and avocado packhouse.

"Schools were aware of this when they entered the scheme. For some schools that three years was up in June this year, but the government agreed to roll the funding over for an extra six months pending a review."
"We've now decided to extend the Fruit in Schools programme for all qualifying low-decile schools. But we will no longer pay for DHB provider staff to oversee the programme nor will the programme fund teacher release time."
"Fruit in Schools will now become part of the Health Promoting Schools programme run by DHBs and this will save more than $4 million a year, which will be spent on other health services."
"Last year, Fruit in Schools cost $12 million, with just over half spent on fruit."
Merivale Primary School is part of the Fruit in Schools programme. As well as providing fruit for the children it serves an educational purpose.
On a Merivale Primary School trip to Apata Ltd, a kiwifruit and avocado packhouse, on Wednesday, Apata communications manager Cassandra Thurston noted the value of children taking a first hand look at the fruit industry.
'A lot of kids today think everything comes out of a packet, so it was good to get back to basics.”