The EU School Fruit Programme encourages children to eat fruit and vegetables together in the classroom. Participating primary schools receive 3 portions of vegetables and fruit every week for all pupils for 20 weeks. And completely free of charge, thanks to funding from the European Union. The EU School Fruit Programme 2019–2020 runs from week 46 of 2019 through week 16 of 2020.

In the 2019–2020 school year, the Netherlands is taking part in the European School Fruit Scheme for the eleventh year. The scheme aims to:

  • Encourage the consumption of vegetables and fruit among schoolchildren.
  • Teach children healthy eating habits.
  • Promote the sale of vegetables and fruit.

The EU School Fruit Programme is also included as a Healthy School activity for the theme of Nutrition.

Participating primary schools are very enthusiastic, as shown by the report ‘Results of the evaluation of the School Fruit and Vegetable Programme 2018–2019’ by Right Market Research and Consultancy.

Almost all primary schools (98%) are (very) positive about the EU School Fruit Programme. They consider it a wonderful initiative and believe it is important to promote healthy food. Children and teachers are also very satisfied with the programme: 85% of schools indicate that most children and teachers are enthusiastic. Enthusiasm among parents is somewhat lower, but nevertheless three quarters of schools say that most parents are enthusiastic. Many schools feel that, as a result of the EU School Fruit Programme, children bring fruit and vegetables to school more often.

Apples are still the most popular when it comes to the types of fruit and vegetables that are most suitable, followed by pears, bananas and mandarins. Schools consider it important that the fruit is easy to prepare and distribute, and children are also accustomed to eating these types of fruit at home, which makes consumption easier. Nevertheless, many schools believe that variety is also important. Radishes and pineapples are considered among the least suitable types. Most children are unfamiliar with radishes and also do not like them. Pineapples are considered too difficult to prepare.

Almost all schools (94%) are (very) satisfied with the information shared about the EU School Fruit Programme. Only a few are somewhat less satisfied, mainly because of the large amount of information they receive. All the individual resources are rated positively, with the highest score (8.0) going to the digital newsletter.

Read the full study here.

Read here all about participating in the EU School Fruit Programme 2019–2020.

Click here for an overview of the available teaching materials.