Students from six schools in Christchurch East will continue to get free fruit as the National-led Government maintains funding for the Fruit in Schools programme, says National MP Aaron Gilmore.

“This is great news for the schools in Christchurch East which includes Aranui, Avondale, Central New Brighton, Kingslea, St James and Wainoni,” says Mr Gilmore.

“Participating schools had agreed to self fund after the initial three-year funding from the previous government had run out. For many schools, that deadline came in June this year.

“However, National recognises the health benefits for many kids whose families cannot afford fresh fruit as part of a healthy daily diet. So we have extended funding for an extra six months pending a further review.
 
“As part of the review we will be looking into the administration costs, as just over half of the $12 million spent last year to run the programme was actually for the fruit.”
 
Fruit in Schools will become part of the Health Promoting Schools programme run by DHBs, which also encourages kids to be sun smart, smoke free and physically active. This will save more than $4 million a year, which will be spent on other health services.