increase font size
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman.
The Fruit in Schools programme will be expanded to include an extra 77 schools, benefiting an additional 13,000 students.
"Healthy eating helps fuel the body and the brain, that's why the Fruit in Schools programme is so beneficial to students," says Health Minister Jonathan Coleman.
"Following the Ministry of Education's decile funding changes, I have decided to retain the schools in the programme who moved above decile 2. As a result, a total of 557 schools will benefit from the programme next year, covering over 110,000 students.
"The Government currently invests over $6.6 million a year in Fruit in Schools. With the additional schools participating next year, around $7.8 million a year will now be invested in the programme.
"Fruit in Schools complements the Childhood Obesity Plan. New Zealand is one of the first OECD countries to have a target and a comprehensive plan to tackle childhood obesity."
Schools receive high quality seasonal fruit and vegetables, and they sample up to 33 different types of fruit or vegetable during the year.
Almost 20 million pieces of fruit and veggies were served up this year. 480 decile 1 and 2 primary and intermediate schools, covering over 97,000 students, currently take part in the programme.
It is anticipated that the new schools will start receiving fruit from the beginning of the second term of 2016.
An external evaluation of the programme undertaken on behalf of 5+ A Day Charitable Trust shows good results. Schools reported improved dental outcomes, a reduction in general sores, an increase in overall healthy eating behaviours and an increase in student concentration.
Kaikōura families affected by July's severe storm have found a practical solution to a problem that's kept some children away from regular schooling for weeks: a washed-out section of Inland Kaikōura Road, which has stopped the local school bus from running its usual route.
OPINION: In the 1980s, concern was expressed in West Germany about the falling birth rate. Some simple analysis was performed by Professor Helmut Sies, physician and biochemist at Dusseldorf University. His letter ‘A new parameter for sex education’ was published in Nature in 1988:
Celebrating 50 years in the rural landscape of Central Canterbury and beyond, Ashburton-based Carrfields, has been the exemplar for all aspects of modern agriculture via its extensive range of services including supply, growing, agronomic advice and marketing.
Special courses for secondary school teachers to help excite kids about agriculture and horticulture are now being run at Massey University.
The Government has announced a new rural scholarship designed to back emerging primary sector leaders.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
