A leading UK fresh produce association has urged the British government to fully commit itself to the European Union’s School Fruit Scheme, arguing that more needs to be done in the country to tackle rising obesity levels.
The European School Fruit Scheme has recently been endorsed within the EU and will be launched by several member states this September.
Welcoming the scheme, the UK’s Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has called on the British government to match funding – part of the requirement of the EU scheme – and to expand the UK’s successful School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme.
“With rising obesity levels and poor diet among children an ambitious programme is needed to tackle this public health issue,” said Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium.
“Many UK fresh produce businesses are involved already in the successful UK School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, and we have long supported the development of an EU-wide school fruit scheme.”
“The UK Government had the foresight to introduce a scheme some time ago; we’d like see this taken further to give more children the chance to eat fresh fruit and vegetables at school and to develop good eating habits at an early age.”
Mr Jenney said that the UK Schools Fruit and Vegetable Scheme was encouraging young children to form good eating habits and since its introduction in 2005, there had been a increase in consumption among 6-10 year olds, the target age group of the scheme.
“We want the UK Government to seize this opportunity and commit the funding to expand the highly successful Schools Fruit and Vegetable scheme,” he added.
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