EU school scheme: €250 million for fruit, vegetables and milk for the school year 2020/2021

Today (31 March), the Commission published the budget for the EU school scheme for the 2020/2021 school year: €145 million is allocated to the distribution of fruit and vegetables and €105 million for the distribution of milk and dairy products to schoolchildren. During the last school year (2018/2019), this EU scheme ensured that more than 20 million children across the EU received milk, fruit and vegetables at school, complemented by educational measures about agriculture and a balanced diet.

Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said: ”In the current context, it is even more important for children across the European Union to know and understand where our food comes from. We can be proud of the nutritious, safe and high quality food that our farmers produce. Thanks to the EU school scheme, children can learn about nutrition and agriculture, while also adopting healthy eating habits. We have taken measures to make sure that this year's scheme takes into account that schools had to close across Europe because of the coronavirus pandemic. But it is important that we continue to look ahead, prepare the future and send a strong sign that life will carry on once we have collectively turned this page.”

This year's implementation of the current school scheme (for school year 2019/2020) is affected by the closure of schools across the EU due to the current coronavirus pandemic. The European Commission has clarified that the ongoing crisis can be recognized as a “force majeure” reason. This allows member states who recognize it as a case of force majeure to reimburse suppliers for perishable goods (fruit, vegetables and dairy products) that were meant to be distributed to schools participating in the scheme. Products may also be donated to hospitals, charity organisations and food banks or similar, to reach those in need. More information is available online.

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