A school fruit scheme in the US is increasing children’s fresh-produce uptake by 15 per cent.

The Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP) increases the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by children at participating schools by a quarter of a cup a day, or 15 per cent, according to an independent evaluation of the programme issued by the US department of agriculture’s food and nutrition service. The study also found that the additional fresh produce consumed replaced the consumption of other less healthy options, thereby not increasing total energy intake.

Dr Lorelei DiSogra, vice president of nutrition and health for the United Fresh Produce Association said: “We are thrilled that this comprehensive evaluation confirms what we have seen in our visits with students, parents and school officials in FFVP schools over the last 10 years.

“The FFVP is effective in its mission to increase children’s total fruit and vegetable consumption and expose them to a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, while at the same time replacing other less healthy snacks. This is an important independent evaluation that confirms the FFVP is transformative and helps students develop healthier eating habits.”

Researchers found that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income students, even by small amounts, is likely to bring a public health benefit, as children from socio-economically disadvantaged families tend to have the lowest intakes of fruit and vegetables.

“These results demonstrate that the FFVP increased students’ fruit and vegetable intake approximately twice as much as other interventions,” added DiSogra.

The FFVP began as a pilot programme in 2002, championed by Tom Harkin a US senator from the state of Iowa. It was expanded nationwide in the 2008 Farm Bill. The FFVP is intended to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students in the nation’s poorest primary schools by providing free fresh produce to students beyond school meals.

The evaluation was conducted by Abt Associates and included 5,560 primary school students in 252 schools nationwide.

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