Denbigh school to benefit from Tesco's fruit and veg scheme

Tesco has announced a £4 million initiative, in collaboration with the British Nutrition Foundation and Groundwork UK, to provide thousands of children with healthy produce at school.

The scheme, named Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools, aims to provide at least one portion of fruit or veg each day to pupils across the country, including those at Ysgol Pendref in Denbigh.

This initiative is targeted at schools with a higher-than-average free school meal ratio.

Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools aims to provide each student at least one portion of fruit or veg every day (Image: Supplied)

In total, 400 schools across the UK will receive around 16 million pieces of fruit and vegetables, equating to an average of 110 portions per child over a school year.

Currently, only 12 per cent of children aged between 11 and 18 meet the five-a-day fruit and vegetable recommendation.

Tesco expects the scheme to boost the overall fruit and vegetable intake of participating children by 23 per cent.

The British Nutrition Foundation predicts this could result in a seven per cent increase in vitamin A intake, 25 per cent for vitamin C, 14 per cent for folate and 10 per cent for fibre, based on current average nutrient intakes in children.

UK Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, said: "With only one-in-five children eating the recommended portions of fruit and veg a day, it’s fantastic to see Tesco’s commitment to helping children access healthier foods."

400 schools across the UK will receive around 16 million pieces of fruit and vegetables (Image: Supplied)

Ken Murphy, Tesco Group Chief Executive, said: "Our aim is to enable schools to provide enough fruit and veg for every child to have at least one piece every day.

"Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools will make a real difference by providing something that young people look forward to receiving every day."

Elaine Hindal, chief executive of the British Nutrition Foundation, said: "We welcome this significant investment from Tesco to help improve the diets of our young people.

"By targeting funding to pupils in areas in need of a little extra help, this is a meaningful and impactful intervention."

The scheme will also allow participating schools to shop for the produce they need in stores nearby.

Recent survey findings by brand and social impact agency We Are Futures indicate that 71 per cent of teachers would prioritise the availability of 'fruit and veg for all pupils' if more funding was available.

The initiative aims towards supporting the health and nutrition of schoolchildren, especially in areas where families struggle to afford a healthy diet.