Nursery World - Free fruit scheme in doubt

The free fruit and vegetable scheme, introduced in maintained schools and nurseries in an attempt to improve children's diets, may offer them no long-term benefits, according to new research.

The study, published in the August edition of the Journal ofEpidemiology and Community Health, showed that the scheme initiallyboosted children's consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables by half aportion, and slightly increased their intake of beta-carotene andvitamin C.

But these increases waned seven months later and disappeared completelyby Year 3, when children are no longer eligible for the scheme. Therewere no changes in children's salt, fat, or overall energy intake.Furthermore, their fruit and vegetable intake actually fell at home,possibly because parents thought children were getting their quota atschool.

The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme was set up with 42m fromthe Government in 2004, and has received a further 77m since,aiming to cut the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease in laterlife.

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