Move to stop fruit in schools 'stupid and short-sighted'

Six South Canterbury schools will have a combined $100,000 annual fruit bill if government funding for the Fruit in Schools programme is canned a move labelled as "stupid and short-sighted" by the Labour Party.

The programme runs in 500 low-decile schools around the country and provides fruit to 100,000 children every day.

It was introduced to six local schools in October 2006, with one school being funded by the South Canterbury District Health Board's (SCDHB) child and youth programme.

Waimate Main School, Timaru South School, Timaru Christian School, Grantlea Downs, Oceanview Heights School and Temuka's St Joseph's Primary School are included in the programme.

Timaru South School principal Mike Hogan said the school would have to raise up to $33,000 annually to keep the programme running if the Government cut funding.

"We couldn't even entertain the idea of funding it ourselves. There is no money for that in our budget."

He said he would be "pretty disappointed" if the programme did not continue, but the school's contract with the SCDHB expired at the end of 2010 so pupils still had time to enjoy their fruit, including kiwifruit, fresh pineapple, tomatoes, and nectarines, as well as apples, pears and bananas.

"We have noticed since the programme started more fruit in children's lunchboxes coming from home."

Mr Hogan said the school would consider planting fruit trees if its contract was not renewed. "We would take whatever steps we could to have part of what we're enjoying now.

"We won't be able to replace the programme in terms of distributing fruit, but we will still encourage children to have some at home."

Timaru Produce Wholesalers Ltd managing director Gavin Charteris said he would lose about $10,000 a year if the programme funding was cut.

He is contracted to the Government through another company to provide a piece of fruit to about 1200 South Canterbury pupils every school day.

Local apple and pear growers would be forced to sell their fruit to supermarkets, where they would get a lower price due to changes in supply and demand, he said.

"We are not happy. We would like it to continue because everyone benefits, it's a win-win situation.

"Indirectly it helps supermarkets too. Kids have fruit at school and when they go home they want their parents to buy more. It's good for the economy."

Labour Party health spokesperson Ruth Dyson said the Government's decision was "incredibly stupid and short-sighted".

"It has made a real difference in both the health of children in schools and their families' eating patterns.

"This is a no-brainer, there are no losers in this. Schools are unlikely to have spare money to put into this programme.

"I am very keen to work with teachers and families to get the Government to realise this.

"Tell me one parent that does not want their kid to eat an apple at lunchtime."

Health Minister Tony Ryall said no decision had been made yet, but many schools had entered the scheme on the understanding they had funding for only three years.

"... After that it would be up to schools to pick it up themselves. That would have run out for some schools this year but we are extending it for another six months while we review the programme.

"We're trying to find out why the administration costs of it are so high. Last year only around a half of the total $12 million funding went on fruit, the rest went on administration."

- © Fairfax NZ News