Teachers report improved performance when pupils are nutritionally fed
Britain’s school kids ate 10.8 million portions of fresh produce as part of Tesco’s Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, new research by the supermarket has found.
The retailer’s research concluded that the huge amount of healthy food enjoyed by pupils had a significantly positive impact on their nutrition, with the kids seeing an average 7.4 per cent increase – the equivalent of 15 days’ worth – in Vitamin C intake alone.
Some 94 per cent of teachers also reported improved behaviour from kids, including sharper focus and more energy in the classroom.
Now in its second year, the Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, developed in partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation, has expanded to support over 500 schools, specifically targeted in areas with a high proportion of pupils receiving free school meals.
The latest Impact Report, which analyses the effects of the free fruit and veg on over 140,000 children, found that the produce has also boosted Vitamin A intake by 4 per cent, fibre intake by 3.6 per cent, while folate, which reduces tiredness, was up by 3 per cent.
Popular produce
Almost 900 tonnes of fruit and veg were bought through the programme, with pupils making the purchasing decisions. The most popular fruits were oranges, grapes, strawberries, apples and bananas, with the top vegetables being cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, broccoli and cabbage.
A study of 500 UK teachers revealed that 96 per cent would say that pupils are eager and more ready to learn when they’ve eaten well. The vast majority (88 per cent) of teachers have experienced children coming to school hungry, with this figure increasing to 94 per cent among those teaching in challenged areas.
Virtually all the teachers polled (98 per cent) agree that nutrition is a key foundation to learning, but 83 per cent say it can be difficult to inspire children when it comes to healthy eating.
Claire de Silva, head of communities at Tesco, said: “Schools have told us what a positive impact the Tesco Fruit and Veg for Schools programme has made on their children, including sharper focus, more energy and better behaviour. Every teacher we surveyed for the report agreed that the scheme has made a positive difference to the lives of each young person it has reached.
“By expanding the scheme in year two we can ensure that even more young people in some of the most challenged communities in the UK get access to the fruit and veg they need to thrive.”
Elaine Hindal, chief executive of The British Nutrition Foundation, added: “We could not be more delighted to see our work have this kind of real-world impact, and to support Tesco in taking action that drives healthier diets for children and young people in areas in need of extra support. The diet-related health of our young people is a major concern and initiatives, like this one, to promote access to healthy foods are sorely needed.”
