Five a Day for Children
Do kids need 5 A day?
Yes, Children need five portions of fruit and veg each day, just like adults.
Ensuring good nutrition is a key part of parenting. Fruit and vegetables are a good source of the nutrients that children need for a healthy, balanced diet.
Current recommendations are that children eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Sadly, research shows that on average children in England eat only two portions, with many eating fewer.
The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS)
The SFVS is a scheme designed to help children achieve 5 A DAY. Children aged four to six who attend a fully state-funded infant, primary or special school are entitled to receive a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day.As well as providing one of their 5 A DAY, the scheme also helps to increase awareness of the importance of eating fruit and vegetables. In addition, this encourages children to adopt healthy eating habits which they will keep throughout life.
Teachers find that distributing the fruit in class groups helps to encourage a sharing, calm, social time.generally, the fruit and vegetables are delivered to schools three times a week to ensure that they are always fresh. All the fruit and vegetables must be washed. Then, they are usually handed out just before the mid-morning break in class groups.
Apart from the SFVS, your child has other opportunities through the school day to add to their 5 A DAY total. All schools that provide meals for pupils must also include at least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables or salad for each pupil, every day. Schools are encouraged to create lunch menus which promote in-season fruit and vegetables to pupils as part of their food.education.
Fresh fruit and vegetable options must be provided at all school food outlets. As well as lunch, these include: breakfast club, tuck shops at mid-morning break and lunch, and in vending machines.
for more information visit: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/5ADAY/Pages/schoolscheme.aspx
