The EU’s School Scheme, is a vital initiative supporting the distribution of milk, fruits, and vegetables to millions of children from participating primary to secondary schools across the EU.

The scheme addresses the objective of having adequate consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk within the EU, combatting the rise in processed food consumption high in sugar, salt, fat, or additives. By promoting healthy diets and lifestyles, the EU aims to counteract the growing issue of obesity, particularly among children.

The scheme facilitates the distribution of fresh fruit, vegetables, and milk to school children. EU countries collaborate with health and nutrition authorities to approve a list of products, prioritizing fresh items and plain natural milk. Processed options may be included for dietary variety, considering factors such as seasonality, availability of produce, and environmental impact.

In addition to distribution, the scheme supports educational measures such as teaching, farm visits, and other related workshops and events. These activities aim to reconnect children with agriculture and instill healthy eating habits, covering topics such as local food chains, organic farming, sustainability, and food waste.

Funding under this scheme is also allocated for information activities in an effort to increase the scheme’s visibility, along with monitoring and evaluation to ensure its proper functioning. This helps maintain accountability and transparency in achieving the scheme’s objectives. Countries can adjust their budget allocation based on priorities and needs.

All member states are required to develop a six-year strategy outlining objectives, beneficiaries, products, educational activities, and implementation arrangements. Each country is also required to monitor and evaluate the scheme, submitting reports to the European Commission. The Commission makes these reports public, providing contact points for information on participation and implementation details.