Promotional body English Apples & Pears has renewed its call for the Bangor Project to be introduced among UK children to increase consumption of fresh produce.
“A number of Continental countries are putting together a pan-European programme aimed at increasing consumption of apples and pears and we have played a part in the early discussions,” said EAP chief executive Adrian Barlow.
“But we are very uncertain about taking any further part as the only programme that has been any good at increasing consumption to date has been the Bangor Project. There is no evidence that any other campaigns do more than affect the popularity of one variety over others.
“In our view any money that is available to support promotional activities would be best placed behind the Bangor Project. We would like to see it expanded to be included in the National School Fruit & Vegetables Scheme so that all schools benefit.”
Barlow pointed out the irony that the project was originally funded by the Institute of Grocery Distribution and subsequently by the Fresh Produce Consortium and is now being implemented in Ireland but not included in the UK’s own fruit in schools initiatives.
“It is fine to provide free fruit in schools, but we need to augment that in order to change children’s attitudes and those of their parents,” said Barlow.
“That is why we would like to the see the NSFVS and the Bangor Project in schools and tackling a wider age range.”
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