MEDIA RELEASE
16 October 2007

Eastern Bay of Plenty ‘Fruit in School’ Primary Schools
Celebrate their First Year Anniversary

Who can remember when the Government supplied free milk to all New Zealand primary schools? Remember the thick layer of cream, the cardboard tops with perforation for the straw, and the milk being left in the sun?

Well one year has past since a number of Eastern Bay of Plenty primary schools first received their free fruit as part of the Government’s Fruit In Schools (FIS) initiative to encourage children to eat more fruit and adopt healthier lifestyles

“In each FIS school, every child and staff member receives a different piece of export quality fruit each day, for three years,” says Health Promoting Schools & Fruit In Schools Coordinator, Carl Cowley. “And it’s awesome to see that the majority of these schools share their leftover fruit with their local Kohanga or Early Childhood Centre, - even Marae”.

FIS has been funded to provide fruit and support for approximately 280 (mostly decile 1) schools in the primary sector throughout New Zealand over the next three years (Total pieces of fruit delivered daily: 60,000 nationally, of that, 3175 pieces are delivered to the EBOP).

“The three year cost is huge, but the long-term investment has greater benefits. Schools selected to take part in the FIS programme work towards becoming a Health Promoting School (HPS) which is a whole school approach that provides a framework and process for improving the health and well being of the school and its community” says Carl.

The short term health benefits of daily fruit consumption were noticed almost immediately. “Within the first two months the anecdotal evidence was overwhelming. The teachers said the children were easier to teach as the students had higher levels of attentiveness and concentration. The School Nurses have noticed a reduction in school sores, and also commented on the kids’ complexion and hair. And the admin staff had to order a lot more toilet paper – which is a good thing” laughs Carl.

“A major part of the HPS process is increasing the involvement and communication between staff, students and parents/whanau, so if you’re interested in being involved in anyway, please contact your school, or contact Carl Cowley on carl.cowley@bopdhb.govt.nz or 07 306 0978”.

The 20 Eastern Bay of Plenty Health Promoting Schools & Fruit In Schools schools are: Raukokore, Te Whanau a Apanui Area, Opotiki Primary, Ashbrook, The Kura Kaupapa Maori o Waioweka, Taneatua, Te Wharekura o Ruatoki, Te Kura o Paroa, Te Kura o Te Teko, St Joseph’s Matata, Kawerau North, Kawerau Central, Kawerau South, Kawerau Intermediate, Te Mahoe, Te Kura Maori a Rohe o Waiohau, Murupara Primary, Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau, Te Kura Toitu a Te Whaiti nui a Toi, and Te Wharekura o Huiarau.

ENDS