BMA Scotland calls for free fruit and vegetables in schools
The British Medical Association (BMA) has said that an entitlement to a free portion of fruit or vegetable on every school day should be introduced for all primary school pupils in Scotland.
In its manifesto for health ahead of the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections, BMA Scotland outlines that consumption of fruit and vegetables amongst children in Scotland is poor, with the average portions consumed per day remaining at around 2.8 since 2003.
Currently, 11 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have some form of free fruit & vegetable scheme in place in addition to what is provided as part of a school lunch. This is down from 16 local authorities that had schemes in place as recently as 2013/14.
The proposal to introduce an entitlement was backed by 79% of parents across the UK in an Ipsos MORI opinion poll for the BMA.