According to Marc Tarabella (S&D, BE), who steered the legislation through Parliament and led the EP's negotiating team, the programme is essential due to the decline across the EU of fruit and vegetable consumption.

The Agriculture Committee endorsed the deal struck between Parliament's negotiators and the Luxembourg Council presidency on 10 December by thirty votes to six, with one abstention. €150 million has been allocated for fruit and vegetables.

More emphasis on education

To make the EU school scheme more effective, member states must do more to promote healthy eating habits, local food chains, organic farming and the fight against food waste, MEPs insisted. The educational measures should also better connect children with agriculture, for example through farm visits and the distribution of local specialities.

Products eligible for EU funding

Parliament insisted that when foodstuffs are distributed in schools, under-consumed, local, fresh products should have priority over processed foods. Member states will be able to distribute processed foods like soups, compotes, juice, only in addition to fresh fruit and vegetables.

Products containing added fruits, nuts or cocoa, such yogurts with fruit, and flavoured foodstuffs will still be eligible for EU funding under the school scheme, with restrictions.

Next steps

The agreed text still needs to be approved by Parliament as a whole at its March or April plenary session before going to the Council for its approval at first reading.

The consumption of fruit, vegetables and milk is still falling across Europe. Over 20 million EU children are overweight and adolescents on average eat only 30% to 50% of the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables.

Source: europarl.europa.eu