Horticultural industry welcomes school’s resource kit and recycling program to get fruit back in schools

Horticultural industry welcomes school’s resource kit and recycling program to get fruit back in schools

 MEDIA RELEASE | September 15, 2021

Following six months of fruit restrictions placed on school lunch boxes in South Australia, the Horticultural Industry welcomes the Government’s school’s resource kit and recycling program rolled out today.

Young South Australians will learn more about fruit fly and the part they can play in stopping the spread through a new children’s booklet– a welcomed initiative by Industry in a step to allow fresh fruit to be continued to be enjoyed in our school play yards.

Angelo Demasi, Chair Horticulture Coalition of SA, said. “We support and commend the Government’s Commitment to the ongoing efforts in eradicating Fruit fly in SA and the education piece they have delivered. Fruit is essential to children’s diets, and it is important both students and parents are provided with information on how they can continue to enjoy fruit snacks at school.”

For school yards to allow fruit to be continued to be enjoyed green bins need to be onsite for the safe disposal of uneaten fruit and scraps. The latest initiative has seen the distribution of green bins to government schools in Adelaide’s red outbreak areas.

The initiative also encourages schools in red outbreak zones to ensure they provide affordable, commercially-sourced fresh fruit in canteens to support families with healthy lunch box options.

“It is important that we all work together to protect the industry,” Angelo Demasi said, “The latest initiatives are an important step in educating schools, students and their parents on the measures they can take.”

The South Australian horticultural industry is a critical business sector for South Australia. The industry consists of 3,500 businesses employing an estimated 13,500 permanent and an additional 24,000 seasonal staff and contributing more than $3.4 billion in gross food revenue to the South Australian economy.

ENDS

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Media Contacts:

Angelo Demasi                  e. angelode@saproducemarket.com.au | m. 0417 835 340

Penny Reidy                         e.penny@saproducemarket.com.au | m.0408 877 797