Fruit in Schools aims increase the amount of fruit children in low decile primary and intermediate schools eat.
An evaluation of the programme shows it is helping keep children focused and better behaved in the classroom.
According to the NZ Herald, the evaluation report “came just in time to stop Health Minister Tony Ryall adding the fruit programme to a string of cuts in the health budget”.
A letter shows the programme was under threat. The health minister was considering a “staged exit” from the scheme. This letter is now publicly available – following an official information request.
The evaluation report is also available for the first time.
In: Ministry of Health fruit in schools reports. PDF (7309 KB)
Read more about the research NZ Council for Educational Research
Read more: NZ Herald, 12 Dec 2010