A remarkable achievement for Tesco’s Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, pupils across Britain have munched their way through an incredible 10.8 million portions of healthy produce in just one year.
Aiming to provide children with a “nutritious boost they might not ordinarily get”, the supermarket works with a whopping 500 schools to ensure full tummies.
But according to teachers, the benefits go far beyond this. Indeed, a whopping 94 per cent have noticed better behaviour in children taking part in the scheme, exhibiting sharper focus and more energy in lessons.
The nutritional boost is also impressive. Children have seen their vitamin C intake jump by 7.4 per cent, the equivalent of adding 15 days’ worth of the essential vitamin to their diet.
Youngsters are also getting four per cent more vitamin A, 3.6 per cent more fibre, and increased folate levels, which help fight tiredness.
The programme, developed with the British Nutrition Foundation, has grown to support more than 500 schools across the UK, specifically aimed at areas where lots of pupils receive free school meals.
Its latest Impact Report looks at how the free fruit and veg scheme has affected over 140,000 children, and the results are excellent.
Nearly 900 tonnes of produce have been purchased through the scheme (about the weight of six blue whales).
Tesco works with a whopping 500 schools to ensure full tummies
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TESCO
Teachers across the nation are backing the importance of good nutrition. Indeed, a study of 500 educators found that 96 per cent believe pupils are more eager and ready to learn when they’ve eaten well.
Meanwhile, almost all teachers in challenged areas – 94 per cent – have seen children arriving at school hungry, making the programme a lifeline for some.
Some schools have particularly stood out among participants. Boldon School in South Tyneside won the ‘Ultimate Munchers’ award after pupils ate nearly 15,000 pieces of fruit and veg throughout the school year – almost four times the average.
Senior Student Mentor at Boldon School, Val Hanson, said: “Not in a month of Sundays did we realise the difference free fruit and veg would have on our school – it’s phenomenal.”
‘Schools have told us what a positive impact the programme has made on their children’
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Explaining how the scheme helps vulnerable children, she added: “We get some of the kids who are having a tough time at home or who need help with behaviour or attendance involved in the scheme, helping us to shop or distribute the fruit every week.
“Having that routine, being involved as part of a group, making new friends, and meeting people in the shops can really build confidence – and it almost works as a counselling session sometimes.”
Meanwhile, Mancunians have proven to be “guac and roll stars” with the most avocados eaten at Park View Community Primary.
Officially named Tesco’s ‘Avocado Aficionados’, they ate a whopping 10 times more ore than the average school in the scheme.
Katy Mehaffy, the school’s family support officer, commented that the scheme has allowed pupils to try foods they ordinarily wouldn’t.
“We’ve found that the kids are more adventurous at school; if one of their friends is eating something, they’re more likely to give it a go,” she said.
Calling the programme “life-changing”, she stressed that something as simple as providing fruit to hungry children makes a huge difference to their academic performance.
Head of communities at Tesco, Claire de Silva, stated: “Schools have told us what a positive impact the Tesco Fruit and Veg for Schools programme has made on their children, including sharper focus, more energy, and better behaviour.
“Every teacher we surveyed for the report agreed that the scheme has made a positive difference to the lives of each young person it has reached.
“By expanding the scheme in year two, we can ensure that even more young people in some of the most challenged communities in the UK get access to the fruit and veg they need to thrive.”
In other Tesco news, the supermarket recently introduced an “iconic” new benefit for loyalty card holders, with more than 24 million shoppers eligible.
Tesco Clubcard holders can now enjoy a new deal at Pizza Express, where £10 vouchers are transformed into £30 to spend at the chain.
To enjoy cheaper meals at the “iconic” restaurant, eligible shoppers can visit the PizzaExpress section on either the Tesco app or the Clubcard website and convert their vouchers into discount codes.
“With triple value on Clubcard vouchers, PizzaExpress and Tesco are giving Clubcard Members even more reason to make their next meal out a memorable one,” the supermarket stated.