Cutting Fruit In Schools would be a rotten move
Cutting free fruit to some of New Zealand’s neediest kids would be an attack on commonsense and child health, Green Health spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today.
The Fruit in Schools programme has funding till the end of the year, but the Government is reviewing the programme and the indications from those working with Fruit in Schools suggest that funding will be terminated at the end of the year.
Fruit In Schools provides fresh fruit each day to around 100,000 children in 500 low-decile schools. The programme was initiated after the 2002 Child Nutrition Survey showed that only two out of five children get the recommended amount of fruit a day.
“The reality is that many children come to school without any breakfast or lunch. The Fruit in Schools programme provides these kids with food which enables them to get at least some of their daily nutritional requirements,” said Ms Kedgley.
Fruit in Schools is aimed at areas of high social and health needs as defined by the New Zealand deprivation index. This index is based on criteria such as access to health and social services.
“Cutting Fruit in Schools will adversely affect New Zealand’s neediest and poorest children,” said Ms Kedgley.
“It would be a disaster for the 100,000 children in low decile schools, many of whom rely on fruit provided by their school for sustenance and nutrition.”
Ms Kedgley said it was bizarre that the Government could find $30 million additional funding for private schools, but was balking at funding a $12 million dollar programme aimed at providing daily fruit for New Zealand’s poorest children.
The Fruit in Schools programme had been positively received, with teachers reporting that children are more alert and better able to concentrate in class after eating fruit. Schools involved in the scheme also report improved dental health since the programme’s inception.
“Coming hard on the heels of the removal of school food guidelines, and slashing of the budget for nutrition related school initiatives, it would seem this Government does not believe in the adage that prevention is better than cure,” Ms Kedgley said.
Links to 2002 2002 Child Nutrition Survey