Top marks for fruit in schools

New Zealanders who experienced the milk-in-schools programme don’t usually have fond memories of it; their stories of curdled, luke-warm milk being forced upon them are now part of NZ folklore.

But you’ll be pleased to know that the Fruit in Schools (FIS) programme has received top marks from principals, teachers, health agencies and students.

Children attending FIS schools are provided with one free piece of fruit each day.

The FIS programme has also helped these schools to make connections with family, whanau and local health agencies to help address four health areas: healthy eating, physical activity, sun protection and smoking.

Since the schools started the FIS programme the students’ knowledge about healthy eating has increased, more of the students eat fruit and vegetables, and the amount of fruit the students eat has increased.

Also, their attitudes to exercise were more positive, they reported doing more active things, watching less TV, playing computer games less often and doing more active things with the family.

The researchers believe these changes are likely to have a positive longer-term impact on the student’s health, wellbeing and success at school.

So what next? Many of the changes to address healthy eating and physical activity are becoming a part of everyday school practice – good news.

Not so good news on the free fruit front – though many of the staff feel they should continue to provide free fruit to their students, most had not planned or secured funding for this.