Fresh Fruit In Schools

The ‘Fresh Fruit in Schools’ scheme, also known as ‘Snack Pack’ was a major health initiative, implemented between 2002-2006.The scheme, which was overseen by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) was delivered by the four Health Action Zones (HAZs) as a pilot project that would initially provide free fruit to selected schools throughout Northern Ireland. Funding for the scheme was provided through the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
The Fresh Fruit in Schools scheme provided one piece of fruit per day to children in P1 and P2 in participating schools. The main objective of the scheme was to raise awareness of the benefits of fruit consumption among children and to instil healthy eating practices from an early age. Through the Northern Neighbourhoods Health Action Zone, the scheme was successfully delivered in 17 primary schools, in areas of higher social need, across the Northern Health and Social Services Board area.
NNHAZ formed a Steering Group to co-ordinate local efforts and drive the project forward which included representatives from Homefirst Community Trust, Causeway Trust and the North-Eastern Education and Library Board.
NNHAZ secured an additional support fund to help participating schools promote the benefits of healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. This was welcomed by all involved and led to many innovative health-based events within the schools.

The seventeen participating schools included:

1)      Ballycastle County Primary School, Ballycastle
2)      Ballee Primary School, Ballymena
3)      Ballysally Primary School, Coleraine
4)      Castledawson Controlled Primary School, Castledawson
5)      Leaney Primary School, Ballymoney
6)      New Row Primary School, Castledawson
7)      Oakfield Primary School, Carrickfergus
8)      Rathenraw Integrated Primary School, Antrim
9)      St Anthony’s Primary School, Larne
10)    St Mary’s Star of the Sea Primary School, Newtownabbey
11)    St Patrick & St Brigid’s Primary School, Ballycastle
12)    Armoy Primary School, Armoy
13)    St Olcan’s Primary School, Armoy
14)    Earlview Primary School, Newtownabbey
15)    Hazelwood Integrated Primary School, Newtownabbey
16)    Holy Trinity Primary School, Cookstown
17)    Antiville Primary School, Larne

This scheme was evaluated by the Health Promotion Agency.  The evaluation report is available to download below.    

During "Fresh Fruit in Schools" the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety produced a magazine called "Fresh" which provided an overview and update on the scheme.