FIS has also been a powerful catalyst for other health initiatives and learning opportunities, with 74% of principals saying FIS has encouraged actions such as establishing school vegetable gardens and planting fruit trees, cooking lessons, initiatives to encourage healthier lunchboxes, water-only policies, and increased physical activity during break and class time.
Teachers are closely supported by the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust, which provides curriculum-linked resources focused on healthy eating, gardening, cooking, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and physical activity.
FIS was also making a positive impact at home, with three-quarters of parents surveyed saying their child ate more fruit at home, and nearly half ate more vegetables. Seven out of 10 parents also said FIS supported them to provide healthy food at home.
FIS was also making a positive impact at home, with three-quarters of parents surveyed saying their child ate more fruit at home, and nearly half ate more vegetables.
Based on the research, factors for success included schools taking ownership by developing their own distribution systems, appointing student fruit and vegetable monitors, building compost and worm farms for scraps, local supply and distribution of produce, and the inclusion of whānau and the community.
Funded by the Ministry of Health and managed by United Fresh New Zealand, with support from the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust, FIS was originally rolled out in 2005 and now runs in 548 low decile primary and intermediate schools – supplying over 118,000 students and teachers with predominantly locally-grown, seasonal produce every day.
The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust supports the Fruit & Vegetables in Schools initiative with curriculum linked resources including lesson plans and interactive eBooks focused on healthy eating, gardening, companion planting for environmentally friendly pest control and composting. www.5adayeducation.org.nz
Find out more by following 5+ A Day on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest: @5adaynz #5adaynz
