Ivan Camilleri Brussels
More funds for fruit scheme
The European Union has increased Malta's share of funds for a scheme to provide fruit and vegetables to all primary schools from next September.
The island will now receive €226,000 for the first year of this three-year scheme, up from the original €175,000, following a re-calculation of the number of EU member states taking part.
Under this EU initiative, from the next scholastic year all Maltese children attending state, Church and private schools will be given fresh fruit and vegetables to eat and will be learning about the need for a healthy and balanced diet.
Although the EU's School Fruit Scheme stipulates that the children should be given a portion of fruit and vegetables every week, Malta will be taking it further. The Rural Affairs and Resources Ministry, which is coordinating the scheme here, said the government had decided to invest €1.2 million of this year's budget to be able to give away free fresh fruit and vegetables to the children every day.
This will be accompanied by a massive information and educational campaign in a bid to wean Malta's younger generation - which rates high in obesity compared to other countries -onto a healthier diet.
The scheme is also expected to benefit the agricultural community as the fresh produce will be sourced from local farmers.
EU experts agree that a healthy diet can play an integral role in reducing obesity rates and cutting the risk of serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes in later life. Key to this is the consumption of sufficient amounts of fruit and vegetables.
The World Health Organisation recommends a minimum daily net intake of 400 grammes of fruit and vegetables per person. The majority of Europeans fail to meet this target and the downward trend is particularly evident among the young.
Studies show that healthy eating habits are formed in childhood. People who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables in childhood remain good consumers. Those who eat little tend not to change their ways and also pass on their bad habits to their own children. Research has also shown that families with a lower level of income tend to consume less fruit and vegetables.
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su Mercieca
Jun 25th 2009, 07:49
The Fruit Scheme is very commendabile. The Ministry's increased efforts are also a boost towards leading children towards a healthier life style. But eating fruit alone wont decrease obesity. Doing sports every day - along with giving fruit everyday will help towards that goal. Most schools do not have more than a maximum of twice a week Physical Education session while others have only one session. The benefits of stimulating the brain with physical exercise are well known - which is an added bonus. To fight obesity it has to be a holistic approach - but fruit every day is a step in the right direction.
J Mistruzzi
Jun 25th 2009, 07:42
s grech has some excellent comments and suggestions. Some questions to be answered:
1. Who will deliver the fruit / veg daily to schools?
2. At what time will the fruit / veg arrive at each school?
3. Are the schools already equipped to store the fruit / veg properly before distributing it to the children?
4. Who actually does the final distribution to students - the teachers?
Galea. L
Jun 24th 2009, 11:42
s grech
Good comments. You will end up with empty pockets (or is it purse) at the greengrocer.
s grech
Jun 24th 2009, 10:30
instead of supplying fruit & veg to schools why not just reduce the price of fruit and vegetables at the source,then parents can to buy more to thier families.The prices of imported fruit are exhorbitant.And not only schoolchildren but also pensioners and parents with families who are not at school are they not entitled to eat fruit as well and what about parents who are jobless the prices of fruit and veg is no cheeper.of course families with low level of income consume less fruit what else do you expect!
C Micallef
Jun 24th 2009, 10:28
The Health Promotion Dept is also doing a wonderful job by striving to promoting more than 5 a day fruits & vegetables. The Fruit Scheme for schools should be an excellet initiative in the right direction....as long as the fruits do not end up in other lucky mouths (I'm not referring to children) and as long as this scheme will not mean a reduction in the amount of time allocated for childrens' play & rest or learning time (reduction in teaching)!! We dont want to build a Church and dismantle another one! Do we?
The next task for the EU & WHO is to boost the level of daily physical activity DURING school time. How this can be possible remains unanswered! (After-school is the prerogative of their parents then).