Primary school wins funding to offer free daily fruit for children
A PRIMARY school in Glasgow’s West End will offer pupils free morning fruit thanks to a cash boost.
Blairdardie Primary’s parent council secured £1,800 from the Drumchapel/Anniesland area partnership committee in order to offer the nutritious snack to children.
Youngsters will now be able to enjoy the food on two or three days per week, on top of the fruit packs offered at lunch time, for at least four months.
Committee chair Bailie Malcolm Balfour said: “In an area where there are people who cannot always afford to give their children a healthy balanced diet this programme at Blairdardie Primary delivers that opportunity that otherwise would not be possible
“It is the hope of both Councillor Paul Carey and myself that it will lead the way and other schools across the city my follow this example.
The bid was widely appreciated by parents who thanked the area’s councillors for their assistance.
Councillor Paul Carey told the Evening Times: “I have been working closely with the parents of Blairdardie Primary School for a number of months to introduce free fruit back into the school – this idea came from one of the parents.
“Most recently the National Dentists Association called for puddings to be replaced by fruit [at lunch times].
“But, I am hoping that free fruit within schools [throughout the day] takes off, as the kids seem to love it, so if this is a success I will be hoping, along with my colleague Councillor Balfour – who has supported myself and the parents in this – to persuade Glasgow to introduce free fruit back into all of our primary schools.”
Glasgow City Council insisted free fruit is available to school children through the the lunch time service.
Councillor Chris Cunningham, city convener for Education, Skills & Early Years said: “We removed puddings from school menus
news@ eveningtimes. co.uk a while ago to actively encourage children to choose fruit from the pick and mix area in our dining halls.
He added: “All our P1to P4 children are entitled to free school meals now – as well as a high free meal entitlement across the city – so are offered fruit as a matter of course every day and are taught about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and diet to encourage concentration and achievement.”