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Fruit in Schools

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Fruit in Schools is an initiative funded by the Ministry of Health in which schools agree to work collaboratively to improve health and education outcomes for students and in return each student at participating schools receives a piece of fruit each day. The schools focus on the following priorities:

Strengthen school and community wellbeing through the use of a Health Promoting Schools - whole school approach.
Encourage and provide opportunity for active parent and community participation in school wide activities associated with Fruit in Schools.
Promote whole school wellbeing including healthy eating, physical activity, sun protection and smoke free.

The Fruit in Schools approach was developed in collaboration with representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Sport and Recreation NZ (SPARC), National Heart Foundation, Cancer Society, NZ Principal's Federation, NZ School Trustees Association, District Health Boards and Regional Sports Trusts.

So, why the focus on fruit?

Fruit in Schools is much more than just fruit, it is about promoting and supporting the health and wellbeing of the school community.
However the initiative also aims to increase children’s daily intake of fruit because research shows New Zealand children generally do not eat the daily recommended amount of fruit and vegetables.
Fruit and vegetable consumption improves health and wellbeing and has a protective effect against some common cancers as well as cardiovascular disease.

Although research has shown that eating an extra piece of fruit a day will improve health, the overall aim of Fruit in Schools is to create healthy environments and develop whole school approaches to wellbeing. Improved health and wellbeing will help enhance learning outcomes for students and will contribute to life long health. The whole school approach, encouraged by the Fruit in Schools initiative, works to benefit the wider school community.

While fruit is provided in the initial implementation of the initiative, it is envisaged that school communities will develop sustainable processes to continue this beyond the 2010 end date.

Southland Fruit in Schools:
Bluff Community School - Fernworth Primary - Invercargill Middle School – Mataura School - New River School - Newfield Park School – Riverton School - St Joseph’s School - St Patrick’s, St Theresa’s School - St Patrick’s School, Nightcaps.

Otago Fruit in Schools:
Brockville School - Calton Hill School – Caversham School – Corstorphine School – Forbury School - St Patrick’s School, Forbury – Tokoiti School - Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Otepoti.

While the Ministry of Health funds fruit only to the above schools in Otago and Southland, other schools have adapted the Fruit in Schools model and use the Health Promoting Schools framework and process to develop their own Fruit in Schools programme.

Public Health South’s Role
Public Health South employs two Health Promotion Advisors (HPAs) to work with the Fruit in Schools schools throughout Otago and Southland. The HPAs provide support and advice for implementing a Health Promoting Schools approach. The Cancer Society, Heart Foundation, School Support Services and Regional Sports Trusts also provide support.

Teachers from the funded schools receive release days to undertake planning, professional development and networking.

How were the schools chosen?
Schools from regions containing areas of high health need as defined by the New Zealand deprivation index were offered the opportunity to participate. The Deprivation index is geographically based, and uses census data including criteria such as the percentage of households in the area with low income, the percentage of people on benefits, percentage of households with no phone, car etc. From February 2009 to June 2010 all schools with Ministry of Education decile 1 or 2 status and kura kaupapa in New Zealand will have been offered the opportunity to participate.

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