As food insecurity in New Zealand escalates, the country’s successful Fruit in Schools programme is playing an increasingly vital role in supporting tamariki (children) facing hunger.

The programme has become a critical lifeline amid the rising issue of food deprivation among students, as the Government’s revamped lunch programme tries to fix ongoing issues.

Now in its 20th year, Fruit in Schools (FIS) provides fresh fruit to over 126,000 students and educators across a quarter of New Zealand’s primary schools/kura. With many tamariki arriving at school without having kai, FIS ensures they get a healthy start to their day, offering fruit as part of breakfast or morning tea.

The urgency of FIS’s mission is underscored by alarming findings from the Salvation Army’s 2025 State of the Nation report, which highlights a dramatic rise in food insecurity. One in four households with children now report going without food “sometimes” or “often”, with Pasifika families experiencing even higher levels of deprivation, with one in two saying they go without food regularly.

“It is a bleak picture and something everyone should be deeply concerned about,” says Fruit in Schools project manager Stephanie Wrathall. “We are seeing a rise in food insecurity like never before. But FIS is making a real difference. Our 2022 ethnic breakdown showed over 50% of FIS students are Māori and over 30% are Pasifika, proving the programme is reaching those who need it most.”

Although 90% of the 565 schools involved also participate in the Government-funded school lunch scheme, Wrathall says many principals report that the provided meals lack fresh fruit. Feedback gathered from schools shows how essential FIS has become to support classroom learning, boost attendance and foster healthy eating habits in the wider community.

Papatoetoe East School deputy principal Philippa Cowper says FIS is an essential part of the daily routine. “It provides an additional source of nutrition for many of our students, especially those who don’t always have breakfast in the mornings. It also exposes all our students to different fruits that they may not always have access to and discover they enjoy.”

Clayton Park School spokewoman Jolene Marie agrees that FIS has a profound impact. “For many of our students, food insecurity is a real challenge. The Fruit in Schools programme helps to level the playing field and provides a reliable source of essential vitamins and minerals ... children who eat well are more engaged, have better concentration and are more likely to participate actively in their learning.

“It also supports healthy eating habits that extend beyond the classroom, encouraging whānau to make better food choices at home. By reducing the barriers that food insecurity creates, the programme empowers students to reach their full potential and thrive in both school and life.”

FIS delivers fresh fruit in an economically efficient way, sourcing it through wholesale members of United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated and creating an economic boost and employment in our most deprived regions.

United Fresh president Jerry Prendergast says a comprehensive evidence review of FIS was conducted by The AgriChain Centre last year. It found the programme worked well, the supporting logic is sound and its current operation was effective and efficient.

Prendergast points out there is also a direct correlation between hungry bellies and student achievement. The Programme for International Student Achievement (Pisa) began measuring food poverty in 2022 alongside maths, science and reading proficiency levels.

It ranked New Zealand second-worst in the OECD for the number of students missing meals due to lack of money. It also found that food poverty for Kiwi teens created an achievement lag of up to four years behind their food-secure peers, even after accounting for socioeconomic deprivation.

“There is mounting evidence to show how important it is to feed our kids well,” Prendergast says. “FIS is proud to support our most vulnerable students and we will continue to advocate for expanding FIS even further to help overcome food security issues in Aotearoa.”

About Fruit in Schools

Fruit in Schools was launched in Aotearoa in 2005, following a successful pilot in 2004. It is funded by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora and is delivered by United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated (a not-for-profit fresh produce industry organisation).

FIS provides daily fresh fruit and vegetables for Year 1- 8 tamariki in schools and kura in high deprivation areas. The initiative has grown to reach:

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust supports FIS by providing curriculum-linked resources that support learning with a selection of engaging eBooks and accompanying interactive activities in the areas of germination, composting, physical activity and eating seasonally.