Brussels, 29/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 29 April, the European Commission decided on the definitive allocation among member states of EU aid for the School Fruit Scheme for the period from 1 August 2010 to 31 July 2011. Twenty-five of the 27 member states are taking part in this, the second year of the scheme. The exceptions are Finland and Sweden.
Regulation 1234/2007 provides for Community aid to be granted for the distribution of fruit and vegetables, processed fruit and vegetables and bananas, and fruit- and vegetable-based products to children in schools.
The total funding for 2010-2011 is €90 million. The main beneficiaries of the scheme are Italy (€21 million), Germany (€10 million), Romania (€9.6 million), Poland (€9.2 million), Spain (€6.1 million), France (€5.4 million) and Hungary (€4.1 million). The Commission highlights the beneficial effects on health of eating fruit and vegetables. An estimated 22 million children in the EU are overweight, with more than 5 million of these obese. (L.C./transl.rt)