Understand
Jersey free fruit scheme for pupils axed following high wastage and modest consumption increases
Overview
A pilot scheme providing free fruit to children in four Jersey primary schools since 2024 will not be expanded and has been axed due to significant wastage and only a modest increase in fruit consumption. Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning Catherine Curtis stated that parents requested fruit to be incorporated into the broader school food programme providing hot meals instead.
Key points
- The free fruit pilot scheme in Jersey primary schools has been axed and will not be expanded.
- Launched in 2024 across four schools, the initiative offered apples, bananas, and other fruit.
- Minister Catherine Curtis reported that the scheme resulted in significant wastage and only a modest increase in children actually eating fruit.
- Parents requested that fruit instead be integrated into the existing school food programme that provides hot meals.