§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what evaluation he has undertaken of the effect of the Fruit for Schools pilot schemes on children's health;[149852]
(2) what central Government funds have been allocated in each of the next three years for the Fruit for Schools scheme; and if he will make a statement. [149859]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonIncreasing consumption of fruit and vegetables helps to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
The National School Fruit Scheme is at present available to schools in London, the East and West Midlands and the North West. 96 per cent. of schools invited have joined the scheme, and an estimated 95 per cent. of children eat the fruit.
321WFollowing positive results from the region-wide pilots, supported by £42 million from the New Opportunities Fund, the scheme is to be offered to all local education authority schools with children aged four to six by the end of 2004. The Department will provide £77 million over the next two years (£33.5 million has been allocated for 2004–05 and £43.5 million for 2005–06).
In a preliminary survey, more than a quarter of children and their families reported eating more fruit at home since their children were in the scheme. A large-scale evaluation, with the support of the New Opportunities Fund, is underway. This involves 6,000 children across 100 schools, using a specially developed assessment tool to measure the impact of the scheme on children's diet both at school and home. Data will be collected before and after the scheme starts in the North East in March and again in the autumn 2004 and a report is expected in 2005.