The EU-School fruit and vegetable programme

What is the EU School fruit and vegetable programme?

 EU-Schoolfruit is a nationwide scheme for primary schools, developed and financed by the European Union since 2009. The schools receive 3 portions of free fruit and vegetables for all schoolchildren per week for a period of 20 weeks in the schoolyear (November – April). The programme’s aims are:

• stimulating fruit and vegetable consumption of schoolchildren;
• educating children about healthy eating habits;
• promoting the sale of fruit and vegetables in the Netherlands

Participating schools

EU-Schoolfruit is meant for schoolchildren of primary schools (PO) and those of special needs primary and secondary schools (SO and VSO).  Every year, about 3000 out of approximately 7000 schools may participate. Most schools in the Netherlands have participated at least once in the EU-Schoolfruit programme since 2009.

Programme components

In addition to promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in schoolchildren, another component is educating them about fruit and vegetables in the context of healthy food. This nutrition education is part of the broader Taste Lessons programme. Schools are invited to enter into agreement with parents and pupils on having regular fruit- and vegetable days during the whole schoolyear as part of their school policy.