Why a SLOW start is better than NO start to cooking...

Phase two of Tesco's inspirational Fruit & Veg for Schools scheme is providing slow cookers to help tens of thousands of pupils learn healthy eating habits that should last them a lifetime

- Zoe Chamberlain

TESCO has launched phase two of its incredible campaign to deliver more fruit and veg to youngsters in some of the UK's most deprived areas. In October, the supermarket giant launched its Fruit & Veg for Schools initiative - a first-of-its kind project helping 140,000 primary and secondary pupils at 400 schools eat at least one piece of fresh fruit or veg every day.

The project, developed in partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation, aims to provide pupils in disadvantaged areas with at least one piece of fruit or veg every day - in total providing around 16 million pieces of produce over the course of a school year or 110 portions per child on average.

Now Tesco is giving schools slow cookers in a bid to introduce pupils to cooking.

Studies show youngsters tend to be more willing to eat vegetables they've been involved in cooking themselves.

It's hoped they will then take the skills into adulthood, thus starting a virtuous circle.

One of the schools taking advantage of the programme is Holly Hill Church School in Rubery in the West Midlands.

Funding allocated to each school is proportionate to the number of pupils - ranging from £4,000 to £21,000 annually.

Opportunity

Holly Hill's bursar Michelle Evans goes out each weekend to buy the fruit and veg using a gift card provided by Tesco.

She said: "We are based in one of the most deprived parts of Birmingham. If we can relieve pressure on parents, we will do what we can.