The UK-based Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has called on the government to follow Scotland's lead and expand the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme by accepting funding from the European Parliament.
According to the FPC, the EU School Fruit Scheme could help improve the UK's existing programme, which has contributed to a successful increase in consumption with five-a-day consumption rising from 32 per cent in 2004 to 44 per cent in 2006.
'Many UK fresh produce businesses are involved already in the successful UK School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, and we have supported the development of an EU-wide school fruit scheme,' said FPC chief executive Nigel Jenney. 'We are disappointed that, despite much lobbying, the UK government is not looking to grab this opportunity to extend the existing scheme in England and Wales.
'It's great that the Scottish executive has the foresight to take up the funding, but we'd like to see more children south of the border have the chance to eat fresh fruit and vegetables at school and to develop good eating habits at an early age,' he added.
Rising child obesity and poor diet in children across Europe led to the formation of the School Fruit Scheme by the European Commission, with the Scottish government allocated €1.3m for the first year of the programme.
'We urge the UK government to think again and to seize this opportunity to build on the success of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme,' said Mr Jenney. 'We look forward to discussing with the government how the industry can play its part in addressing this critical issue of public health.'
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