Watton Produce, specialist grower and packer of root vegetables for the retail, wholesale and foodservice sectors, is supplying carrots for the government's £77 million National School Fruit & Vegetable Scheme.

As well as apples, bananas, pears and easy peel citrus, every child, aged four to six years old in the country is eligible to receive a free piece of fruit or vegetable each day. And will now have the opportunity to eat carrots, grown and packed by Watton at its British farms.

Carrots are the first vegetables to be introduced into the scheme and it is important that the product is presented in a manner, which the children can enjoy. Watton is already supplying six regions and nearly one million children with two options; washed whole or cut; and peeled and ready to eat.

Katy Negus Watton's sales & marketing director, said: "This scheme has enabled us to supply carrots to the adults of the future. In many cases, schoolchildren across the country have revealed that they have never seen or eaten a carrot before. Not only does the scheme combat the problems with obesity, it also encourages a healthier population and will also aim to increase carrot consumption in the future."