Evaluation of Free Fruit in Schools Initiative

2.1 AIM OF THE EVALUATION

The main aim of the research was to:

evaluate the implementation of the Free Fruit initiative, focusing on how local authorities and schools have implemented the scheme.

2.2 EVALUATION OBJECTIVES

The main evaluation objectives were:

to examine issues surrounding supply and distribution to schools within local authorities, such as the nature of the supplier, perceptions of the quality/quantity of fruit and costs incurred.
to ascertain how schools operationalise the scheme, for example, in terms of storage, preparation and distribution, any health and safety implications, any wastage of fruit, perceived impact on the work of the school and any additional costs involved.
to investigate whether the Free Fruit initiative had any perceived impact on the eating habits and behaviour of the pupils, as well as links between the initiative and the taught curriculum, and any observed effects on classroom behaviour.
to set the above within a policy context at local authority and school level. For example, did the local authority and/or schools have healthy eating initiatives before the free fruit scheme, what links exist with other policies or initiatives, such as the health promoting school concept, etc.

The Scottish Government