
104,000 kids to benefit from Fruit in Schools
Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Health
15th February 2017
Media Statement
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says over 104,000 students will
benefit from the Fruit in Schools programme as kids settle back
into school.
"We're continuing to get overwhelmingly positive feedback from
schools about the success of our Fruit in Schools programme," says
Dr Coleman.
"This includes schools who've been with the programme since it
started and also those who came in last year - they tell us
that the healthy eating options are helping their kids in both
their work, and also at play.
"It's great to see a programme like Fruit in Schools making a real
difference to the health and well-being of Kiwi kids.
"Fruit in Schools complements the Government's Childhood Obesity
Plan. New Zealand is one of the first OECD countries to have a
target and a comprehensive plan to tackle childhood obesity."
This year 543 schools will take part in Fruit in Schools, which
sees high quality seasonal fruit and vegetables delivered each
week. Up to 24 different types of fruits and vegetables are on the
menu throughout the country and more than 20 million servings of
produce will be dished up over the year.
Both staff and students can sample the produce, with adults taking
a lead in showing kids how to enjoy tastes they might not have
experienced previously. Many of the schools also use the programme
as a support for maths.
The Government invests about $8 million into the Fruit in Schools
programme each year. This is being supported by the extra $568
million going into Health for 2016/17 - taking the total Health
spend to a record $16.1 billion.
See the list of schools here.
Media contact: Kirsty Taylor-Doig
Notes to editors
Recent feedback from schools taking part in the programme
includes:
"It's always a pleasure to have plenty of fruit in our
classrooms. It promotes healthy eating habits among our students.
Healthy Eating is a school wide goal and availability of fruit in
the classrooms contributes a lot to that." Kathy Dooley, Principal,
Mt Richmond School (Special School), Auckland.
"Our kura is a decile 1 school on the east coast, an hour up from
Gisborne. We have 26 kids and every day our teacher aide cuts and
prepares a platter of fruit to go into our two classes before
morning tea and they absolutely devour the fruit we receive. It's
as much a part of their day as their reading." Murray Hawke,
Principal, Hatea-A-Rangi, Gisborne.
"We have only positive feedback to provide. Our fruit arrives
efficiently every Monday morning. Thank you so much for your
amazing service - we really do appreciate it." Robyn Brider,
Principal, Orautoha School, Whanganui.
Last updated:
February 15, 2017