Every school day, roughly 2.2 million children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 receive a free piece of fruit or vegetable through the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS)—but no one knows whether this £50 million-a-year programme actually increases how much fruit and veg children eat overall. The problem is that the scheme was introduced before major changes to school food, and its effectiveness has never been rigorously tested. Children might eat the free piece at school but then eat fewer vegetables at home, or the scheme might simply replace fruit they would have eaten anyway. This study will measure exactly what children eat across the whole day—at school and at home, on school days and non-school days—using a dietary assessment app called myfood24 in 40 schools in northern England. Researchers will also follow children as they move from Year 2 into Year 3, when they stop receiving free fruit, to see whether any benefits persist. If the scheme works, the findings will justify continued public spending and help schools adopt best practices. If it does not, the evidence could redirect £50 million toward more effective nutritional interventions. The study will also identify barriers parents face in providing fruit and vegetables, and calculate the true cost of delivering the scheme across different regions.
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Research Question Does the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS) affect children s total daily fruit and vegetable consumption? Background Despite its broad reach, to ~2.2 million children, the effectiveness of the SFVS remains unclear. Since its introduction, changes in school food have occurred. Evaluating the SFVS scheme s impact on children s nutritional intake is important; given projected costs ~£50 million for 2024/25. Aims Characterise fruit and vegetable intakes in Reception/Year 1/Year 2 children, as part of their whole diet, differentiating between SFVS intake and from and other sources. Examining longer-term impact using a secondary dataset 'Understanding Society'. Explore changes in fruit and vegetable intakes when children in Year 2 move into Year 3. Compare fruit and vegetable intakes on school and non-school days. Identify differences in intakes by age, gender, socio-economic status. Describe systems and processes used by schools to highlight best practices and areas for improvement. Understand parent barriers and facilitators to providing fruit and vegetables and their views on the SFVS. Evaluate the cost of delivering the SFVS. Methods Feasibility of Data Collection Methods (6m): Pilot test a new dietary assessment app, myfood24, in four schools. Co-develop study logic model. Main School Data Collection Phase (6m): Recruit 40 schools from North East and Yorkshire and Humber regions. Collect detailed dietary data in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 using myfood24. Record food intake at school and home, including non-school days. Follow-Up Data Collection (3m): Revisit schools to collect data from Year 2 children who have moved into Year 3. Collect detailed dietary data and quality of life metrics. Food Environment and Qualitative Data Collection (6m): Collect data on the school food environment using a standard proforma. Conduct interviews with key school staff and conduct focus groups with children and parents, using a flexible toolbox approach. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis. Regional data collection – schools/parents (6m) To ensure wide reach of the study an online questionnaire of FSVS experiences will be sent to a selection of schools across England and Wales. Including an online parent questionnaire link, asking about their knowledge (if any) of the SFVS and challenges to providing fruit/vegetables for their children. Analysis, Report Writing, and Dissemination (6m): Examine the contribution of the SFVS to daily fruit and vegetable intake. Evaluate the cost of delivering the SFVS and how this varies geographically and over time. Examine longer-term effects on children aged 10-15 using a secondary dataset. Disseminate findings through workshops, policy briefs, and publications. Use co-produced, creative facilitation methods for age-appropriate dissemination. Impact Evidence of effectiveness of the SFVS benefitting fruit and vegetable consumption among young children will be provided. Additionally, best practices and areas for improvement in implementation of the SFVS will be identified; contributing to development of more effective nutritional interventions in schools. The cost analysis will guide resource allocation, ensuring that the SFVS provides value for money.
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