The consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in the EU is still well below the WHO minimum recommended daily intake of 400g per day. The lowest consumption levels are being seen among children and young adults, many eating at best only 200g per day, sometimes even much less. Obesity rates among children remain extremely worrying and unhealthy diets increase the risk of obesity epidemics and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), including cardio-vascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. To reverse the negative trends, it is imperative to educate the youngest by introducing them to the taste, texture and diversity of fruit and vegetables.
While the EU is currently evaluating the future of the scheme, Freshfel Europe reminded of its relevance to educate children on taste, texture and diversity of fresh fruit and vegetables. Freshfel Europe General Delegate Philippe Binard stated, “It is important that the School Scheme primarily stick to its health and nutritional value. Educating the youngest is key to reversing the obesity rate and moving children towards a healthier diet for their future. The cost of social security due to unhealthy diets is at least twice the value of the food market.” Today, close to 17 Mio children have access to the School Scheme, based on a policy with a €130 Mio EU budget, sometimes topped up by additional resources from national budgets. The EU budget allows for the yearly distribution of around 70.000 T of fresh fruit and vegetables every school term.
Considering that the volume at stake is not significant, the primary economic benefits for the sector are long-term, with indirect but essentials effects for the fresh produce sector. Mr Binard added; “Being a health driven programme, the main beneficiaries are the children who are being educated to taste, texture and diversity while improving their health while the sector is securing for the future consumers, well acquainted with fresh produce. It also has a far-reaching societal benefit, for instance through reduced pressures and costs on social benefits and health care by contributing to healthier citizens.” Moreover, Freshfel Europe underlined that the School Scheme contribute to implement several of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and is also well enshrined within the objectives of EU strategies such as the EU Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy and the EU Beating Cancer Plan, aiming at moving towards a plant diet and healthier sustainable diet. The Scheme is a long-term investment, based on fruit and vegetable distribution mechanisms with educational tools.
Freshfel Europe seized the opportunity of this evaluation process to share some key priorities and recommendations for the further growth and efficiency of the Scheme within the upcoming reform. To achieve the highest impact, the EU School Scheme must include a diversity of products and avoid homogenic selections. Complementary to their familiar selection of fruit and vegetables, children must be introduced to, and allowed to discover, new products. This also entails spreading knowledge on a diversity of production methods and origins, educating children further on local and non-local products and differences between organic and other production methods. The educational part of the Scheme is of extra importance. Mr Binard added “The scheme should not be based on exclusivity or be diluted in to many criteria around sustainability. To be effective, the program need to secure the distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables in school within a reinforced schedule to be secured every day of the whole school term. This would imply the need to significantly increase the budget to match the expected outreach and ambitions of the Scheme. In this respect a €1 billion budget would be needed.” Raising awareness of the Scheme and involving all stakeholders are other key recommendations for the Scheme to succeed in the long term. School management, teachers and parents need to be more involved to better capitalize the positive benefits of the scheme.
As the impact assessment of the Scheme is going on during the next few months, Freshfel Europe will continue its advocacy with decision makers to ensure that priorities and recommendations are taken on board towards the end of next year.
ENDS
Note to the Editors: Freshfel Europe is the European Fresh Produce Association, representing the interests of the fresh fruit and vegetables supply chain in Europe and beyond. Freshfel Europe currently has over 200 members, including both companies and associations. For more information, please contact info@freshfel.org.