Jersey Schools Will Add Fresh Fruit to Hot Meal Programme

Children in four primary schools in Jersey have been able to get free fruit since 2024, as part of a pilot scheme. The trial has now come to an end.

The education minister ended the trial because not enough children were eating the fruit, and it led to a lot of wastage (food that is thrown away without being used).

In September, the government announced that fresh fruit would be included in a school food programme. The programme provides hot school meals for government primary schools.

Catherine Curtis, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, said parents had asked for fruit to be added to the school food programme.

The topic was debated on 29 September in the States Assembly. Deputy Louise Doublet said the minister told the assembly that the trial had not led to much of an increase in children eating fruit and vegetables.

Doublet said cost-of-living pressures were not considered when the government ended the free fruit trial. She said she would like to see more investment in healthy food, especially locally grown food, to help families with the cost of living.

The government has a contract with UK company Apetito Limited to provide hot school meals for government primary schools across Jersey.