The proportion of children at the pilot school consuming fruit on a daily basis rose from 18% to 38% in a one year period
The RedBranch school-fruit micro-business is a peer-led initiative that helps senior students to promote fruit to their younger peers.
The initiative is basically a small business run by students – who are responsible for the ordering, marketing and distribution of the fruit. The programme encourages the consumption of fruit during the school day and leads to an increase in the average daily consumption of fruit.
Why Start a Fruit Micro-Business?
Most children and young people do not eat enough fruit. Lack of fruit & vegetable intake has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, as well as other serious chronic health conditions.
Setting up a fruit micro-business encourages fruit and vegetable consumption, reinforces the concept of healthy eating, and helps prevent childhood obesity.
It also helps to foster entrepreneurial spirit, and provides invaluable business experience for young people. Micro-businesses can help educate students about the realities of setting up and running a business.
The initiative:
- Is run by students
- Improves access to fruit in the school environment
- Normalises the consumption of fruit as a snack amongst teenagers
- Substantially increases fruit consumption
Profit from the scheme is re-invested into healthy extra-curricular activities such as hip-hop dance & yoga, helping to improve levels of physical activity.
