WILL PARTICIPATE 59.000 SCHOOL PEOPLE 270 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE ARCHIPELAGO.

The public company Management of the Rural Environment of the Canary Islands (GMR), has launched the third edition of the Fruit Consumption Plan in Schools; a community initiative whose objective is to promote the intake of fruits and vegetables among the youngest in order to reduce the rate of childhood overweight.
The Canary Islands is the first autonomous community in terms of its rate of childhood and youth obesity, and the second in adults. Added to this data is that the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits in homes in the Archipelago is one of the lowest in Spain..

Like this, faced with the 57,4 kilos of vegetables per person and year consumed on average in Spanish homes, In the Islands, the consumption of these products is at 54,2 kilos.

This project, which is part of an initiative promoted by Europe to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables with the aim of raising awareness among schoolchildren about 3 and 10 years and involve families and teachers in good eating habits, In this edition the number of beneficiary children triples compared to the previous call, passing 19.666 schoolchildren approximately 59.000.

The initiative has a total financial record of 90 million euros, of which 395.748 euros go to the Islands- 296.811 euros borne by the EU and 98.937 euros contributed by the Ministry- and includes the distribution of seasonal fruit and Canary Island bananas to schoolchildren from all the Islands, for consumption at least 3 days of the week.

Last week the distribution of these productions began at about 80 educational centers of the Islands and will continue with its distribution during the next two weeks, until the school year ends.

In addition, This plan plans to bring the Common Agricultural Policy closer (PAC) to society and make known agricultural activity and its products.

In this way, the Ministry of agriculture, Food and Environment through the website www.alimentacion.es/es/plan_de_consumo_de_frutas_en_las_escuelas/ has created a series of educational games aimed at making children aware of various aspects of interest about fruits and vegetables.

Through this link it is also made available to parents., educators and other users, pedagogical contents such as educational sheets, the wise book

fruit, a map with quality designations and a calendar of fruits and vegetables, among other activities.