Fruit in schools programme popular across Whanganui

The fruit in schools programme has proved popular in schools across the Whanganui District. Photo / Supplied

Students across Whanganui are being taught the importance of healthy eating in one of the most practical ways possible, with the Aotearoa Fruit & Vegetables in Schools programme proving successful across the district.

Thirty-one low decile schools are enrolled in the fruit in schools scheme, with hundreds of students across the region benefiting from the daily piece of seasonal fruit.

Keith Street School principal Linda Ireton said the programme has had real noticeable effects on the oral health of its students.

"Everything is going well with the fruit - the daily need is just huge. Our dental nurse has said that since fruit started it is especially clear that our children's dental health has improved so we definitely support fruit in schools 100 per cent," Ireton said.

"We have started the Ministry of Education pilot Lunches in Schools and this is a great addition alongside Fruit & Vegetables in Schools. Our kids love fruit and we are so happy to provide it every day."

It's a sentiment shared by Thelma Scanlon at Castlecliff School, who said the fruit goes a long way in providing for the students.

"Deliveries are really going well, children absolutely love the fruit, it makes such a difference for our children and there's very little spoilage. We will be part of the free lunches and still really need our fruit."

Nationwide, the fruit in schools programme supplies more than 500 schools with a piece of fruit for every student daily, catering to 124,888 children and staff.