Pictured above: (l-r back) Philip Dunne (MP for Ludlow), Mark Driver (Minor Weir & Willis), Mrs Caroline Bagshaw (Broseley CE School) with Ella Durns (5) and Jack Cartwright (6)

10,000 school children in Shropshire are benefitting each year from the Government's Fruit and Vegetable scheme it was revealed yesterday. 

The announcement was made by Minor Weir & Willis (MWW) at a special taster session to celebrate the ongoing success of the Department of Health's English School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS).

More than 100 Year 2, 3 and 4 children at Broseley Primary in Telford sampled carrots, pineapple, sugar snap peas and dragon fruit during the event, which also looked to educate them on the importance of a healthy diet and how the produce is grown and gets to the classroom.

Teachers and pupils were joined on the day by Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, who took part in the tasting session and helped out preparing the fruit and vegetables.

"I was delighted to see the positive difference the Fruit and Vegetable scheme is making firsthand. It was immediately clear how excited the children were about trying new things and learning where they come from," explained Philip.

"It is vital that we educate young people about the importance of a healthy diet, so the earlier they can gain access to regular, high quality fruit and vegetables the better."

He continued: "MWW has added it own innovations to the scheme and the fact it sources a lot of the produce locally and in the UK, creating jobs in the process, has to be welcomed."

131 LEA maintained primary schools in Shropshire take part in SFVS, accounting for nearly 35,000 bags of fresh produce.

It initially featured 4 products each week, but during the duration of the contract this has been extended to include rocha pears, tomatoes, organic carrots and prepared fruit.

The company has also worked closely with domestic farmers to grow sugar snap peas in England for the first time.

Sant Mehta, Managing Director of MWW, was delighted at how the contract has developed:

"The English Schools Fruit and Vegetables Scheme has really grown in popularity and proven to be an excellent way of getting young children to eat more quality fruit and vegetables and help them begin to understand about the importance of a healthy diet."

He continued: "I am also pleased that we have been able to add the MWW innovation to the contract. Using our network of suppliers in the UK and overseas, we have successfully added more variety and are continually listening to teachers and the children about what they want to see in their deliveries."

Minor, Weir & Willis has grown into a leading handler of fresh produce, sourcing over 100 products from more than 40 countries, including an ever-expanding network of domestic growers.

The English Schools Fruit and Vegetables scheme contract is run from 3 sites in Birmingham, Peterborough and Chesham.

In the Midlands alone, MWW delivers to over 2,000 schools and more than 300,000 key stage one pupils.

"Our involvement in the SFVS has also had a major spin off benefit to regional companies in our supply chain, boosting existing relationships with growers and, furthermore, helping to create new partnerships with farmers looking at alternative revenue streams," continued Sant.

To celebrate its ten year involvement, Minor, Weir & Willis is planning a range of activities aimed at promoting healthy eating with children and recognising the strength of local and national produce growers.