Fresh Produce Consortium ceo Doug Henderson repeated calls for the free-fruit for schools programme to be extended to cover vegetables at the National Fruit Show. He was speaking as part of a seminar at the show that presented initiatives to increase produce consumption in England, Scotland and Wales.

'We set out to change the diet of the nation, not just to have free fruit given away in schools,' he said. Asked what the future of the scheme was after 2004, when the latest funding finishes, he added: 'We are hopeful that the government can be encouraged to continue with it and will expand the scheme. We have to work hard with both the industry and the government.' Michael Paske, vice-president of the NFU, encouraged everyone present to support the scheme and echoed Henderson's request that it be extended.

Dr Katy Tapper of the University of Bangor gave an update on the Bangor project at the seminar. Under the instruction of Fergus Lowe, the project has been investigating ways of encouraging children between the ages of 4 and 11 to eat fruit and vegetables.

The seminar, chaired by Hugh Kelsey, Master of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers was held on the second day of the show.