Mr Fruitness, the superhero in green lycra who for the past three years has been leading the Fruitness enjoy it! campaign encouraging schoolchildren in several European countries to consumer more fresh fruit and vegetables, is to return for another two years, it has been confirmed.
Funding for the scheme, which has the backing of Italy's fresh produce industry, the Italian government and the European Union, has been approved up until 2011, industry organisation CSO revealed today.
During phase two of the programme, Mr Fruitness will fly into schools in Germany, the UK, Austria, Poland and Sweden to promote peaches, nectarines, pears, kiwifruit and, for the first time, plums.
Sport will also feature more prominently in the campaign over the next couple of years, a spokesperson for CSO revealed.
'All of Mr Fruitness's allies will take it upon themselves to try a different sport, explaining to children how they are played and suggesting the best things to eat when preparing for training or a match,' the spokesperson said.
Plans are also in place to launch a new card game involving peaches, pears, kiwifruit and plums in place of the customary hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs.
From December, the packs of cards will be distributed via all of the major retail chains in the countries involved.
