Free veg in kids health scheme
17 December 2001
Free veg in kids’ health scheme
By Adrienne Francis
VEGETABLES are to be included in a government healthy eating scheme, aimed at school children, according to an announcement by the Department of Health.
The National Schools Fruit Scheme pilot began last year in schools in London and Leicester.
The scheme aims to prevent cancer and heart disease by increasing the consumption of healthy foods among the young.
It involves the provision of a free portion of fruit and vegetables each day from next year until 2004.
The scheme will be funded for over the next two years by 52 million in National Lottery funding, including community initiatives for deprived areas.
The NFU has given its support to the scheme and also called on the Government to offer as much homegrown produce as possible.
NFU vice president Michael Paske said it is extremely encouraging that the Government has announced it will include fresh vegetables in the scheme.
“British growers have an array of mouth-watering produce on offer from carrots to celery to tomatoes,” he said.