News and Events

Principals give fresh produce initiative top marks amidst soaring food insecurity

Posted on May 29, 2023

Karleigha Rimene Thompson Watt Wairarapa Lakeview School

Student from Lakeview School, Wairarapa

Data released this week reveals the Fruit and Vegetables in Schools (FIS) initiative, which provides fresh produce to over 120,000 tamariki and school staff each year, continues to be the most popular healthy kai programme in Aotearoa.

An independent evaluation conducted by Quigley and Watts* on behalf of the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust which supports the Te Whatu Ora funded initiative, found that FIS rated as the most effective initiative at supporting a healthy kura/school environment.

Project Manager, Carmel Ireland says the feedback from principals is hugely affirming, but is concerned at the desperate need that still exists in the community.

“Food insecurity has reached even greater heights than before the pandemic. The review shows just how hard it has become for whānau to put nutritious food on the table every day with 93 percent of principals saying FIS supported them to feed hungry tamariki,” she says.

Fresh produce initiative ensures tamariki a healthy start to school year

Posted on February 08, 2023

Next week the Fruit in Schools (FIS) initiative begins another year of providing an essential service to our youngest New Zealanders. Over 110,000 tamariki in 566 schools and kura across Aotearoa will receive a healthy snack of fresh fruit or vegetables each school day.

The successful scheme has been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for performing a pivotal role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our tamariki for over seventeen years.

Worried About The Cost-of-Living? Take Action With The Zero Food Waste Challenge

Posted on August 25, 2022

This September, the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust will join forces with Aotearoa’s first ever Zero Food Waste Challenge to promote a rethink of how we manage our food, how we view food waste and how a few small changes can make a big difference to our household budgets.

Veronica Shale, Founder of Zero Food Waste New Zealand, says food waste is a problem and an opportunity for nearly every household in the country.

“It’s no secret that Kiwis waste too much food. Recent studies show the average Kiwi household throws away at least $1500 worth of groceries every year – that’s a huge amount of money to lose in the bin. We’re encouraging every New Zealander to save money and help save the planet with a week of conversation and action to change those habits for good.

‘Virtual’ Adventure kick starts healthy habits for Kiwi kids

Posted on August 24, 2022

Registrations are filling up quickly for the Zespri Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure. To register visit: www.youngandhealthy.org.nz.

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust is again supporting this online programme that takes tamariki on a virtual global adventure while encouraging healthy eating and exercise behaviours.

Run in Term 4, this free event features ASICS Ambassadors and Kiwi sporting greats, Ardie Savea, Kane Williamson, Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Samantha Charlton in avatar form.

Prizes and giveaways are up for grabs throughout the five-week adventure, including a fun Zespri Community Day for a hardworking school, ASICS’s shoes for a few classes of deserving students and other goodies too.

5+ A Day and Harold The Giraffe Unite To Inspire Tamariki To Love Fruit and Vegetables

Posted on February 14, 2022

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust are teaming up with the Life Education Trust to inspire, motivate and educate tamariki and mātua (parents) about the benefits of eating at least five servings of vegetables and two of fruit every day.

A national tour of schools and communities beginning next month will bring the entertaining combination of both Harold the Giraffe and Canterbury siblings, Two Raw Sisters, to classrooms all around Aotearoa.

The partnership offers the 5+ A Day team an important opportunity to engage with tamariki about their nutritional needs, sources of kai and basic food preparation skills.

5+ A Day Planting Futures for Tamariki with Oke Partnership Deal

Posted on January 31, 2022

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust is proud to sponsor Oke, a local charity providing Kiwi kids from impoverished communities the opportunity to experience the benefits of growing their own fruit and vegetable garden.

Established in 2015, Oke has built gardens at 14 primary schools, gifting more than 10,000 tamariki across South Auckland from Mangere to Drury, with a school garden to grow and learn in.

With the recent Poverty Monitor report indicating that one in five of our tamariki live with food insecurity, the need for initiatives that support the health and wellbeing of young New Zealanders has never been greater. 5+ A Day Chair David Smith says the Oke ‘Growing a Future’ initiative is critical to tamariki in deprived communities.