Irish schools are set to receive just under €3million – to provide milk, fruit and vegetables to students across the country.
The funds are part of an EU strategy involving a series of member states, aimed teaching schoolchildren about the importance of food, farming and a balanced diet.
In all, a budget of €250million has been allocated to the entire scheme; €100million has been set aside for milk, with the remainder to be spent on fruit and vegetables.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan welcomed the news yesterday.
#BackToSchool is not so bad this year - Kids across the EU will get fresh fruit, veg & milk via #SchoolSchemeEU!https://t.co/xpw5AVJhHY pic.twitter.com/cv6TaLGOXW
— EU Agriculture (@EU_Agri) August 30, 2017
In a statement, he said: “I am very pleased that the new school scheme will be introduced tomorrow.
“The scheme provides valuable support to millions of European schoolchildren and thousands of farmers in every Member State.
“I am happy to be involved with an initiative…to promote a healthy lifestyle, and I am convinced that this scheme has a valuable part to play.”
The news comes in the same week that concern was raised over the increasing number of plus-size uniforms being requested by parents.
The owner of a school uniform store in Cavan, Jonathan Eakin, told RTÉ presenter Sean O’Rourke that parents are requesting trousers with a 50-inch waistline.
“Ten years ago, we brought in a special elasticated pants for primary school kids,” he explained.
“At the time, we started with a 28-inch waist, and did it up to a 36-inch waist. But now, we do it up to a 46-inch waist.
“We are talking mainly boys, but we do a pants with expanded waist for primary school girls as well.”
A recent report in the European Heart Index condemned our nation’s lifestyle habits, in particular our high levels of sugar and alcohol consumption, and low exercise levels.
What are your thoughts, mums?
