Aims

Consumption of fresh fruit, vegetables and milk in the European Union does not meet international or national nutritional recommendations. On the other hand, consumption of processed food, which is often high in added sugar, salt, fat or additives, is on the rise.

Unhealthy diets, together with low physical activity, result in obesity. This is why the EU takes action to encourage children to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Overview

Applicable since 1 August 2017, the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme combines two previous schemes (the school fruit and vegetables scheme and the school milk scheme) under a single legal framework. This allows for greater efficiency and an enhanced focus on health and education. The scheme supports the distribution of products, educational measures and information measures.

Distribution

The scheme supports the distribution of fruit, vegetables, milk and certain milk products to schoolchildren, from nursery to secondary school. EU countries approve a list of products (in collaboration with their health and nutrition authorities) which will help achieve the schemes objective of helping children to follow a healthy diet.

The priority is for fresh fruit and vegetables and for plain milk. In order to support a varied diet and/or specific nutritional needs, EU countries may also make processed fruit and vegetables such as juices and certain milk products such as yoghurt and cheese, available. Additionally, under stricter conditions, milk-based drinks may be included.

Seasonality, variety, availability, health and environmental aspects underpin the choice of products. EU countries may encourage local, short-supply chain, organic and quality scheme products if they wish. Generally, no added sugar, salt, fat and sweeteners or artificial flavours are allowed. The health and nutrition authorities in EU countries may allow, as an exception, limited quantities of added salt, fat and, for milk products, sugar.

Educational measures

The scheme also supports educational measures. This can include lessons but can also help fund farm visits, school gardens, tasting and cooking workshops, theme days and games.

Their objective is to reconnect children to agriculture and teach them about healthy eating habits. Issues such as local food chains, organic farming, sustainable production or food waste may also be covered. Educational activities may also involve teachers and parents as they are role models for children’s healthy eating habits and lifestyles.

Information measures

Funding is also available for information activities to ensure the visibility of the scheme, as well as monitoring and evaluation to account for the proper functioning of the scheme.

Review of the scheme

A public consultation of the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme took place from 5 May until 28 July 2022. This consultation was conducted as part of the Farm to Fork strategy that aims to increase the scheme’s impact on sustainable food consumption and strengthen educational messages on healthy nutrition.

The executive summary of the evaluation support study of the EU school scheme is published in order to support the review of its legislative framework that the Commission will propose in 2023.

The Commission presented findings from the evaluation support study, public consultation and Eurobarometer 520 during the ‘An EU school scheme fit for the future’ conference, which took place in Brussels on 24 November 2022. Public and private stakeholders were able to share their views and suggestions on initial proposals.

Budget

The total EU budget for the scheme, in the period 2017-23, was set at €250 million per school year: up to €150 million for fruit and vegetables and up to €100 million for milk. This budget was broken down by country based on the number of children, the level of regional development and, for milk, on how the budget was previously used (see detail below, indicative EU budget by country and school year).

After the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, the total EU budget for the scheme amounts to €220.8 million per school year, consisting of up to €130.6 million for fruit and vegetables and up to €90.1 million for milk.

Indicative EU budget by country and school year

Each country may transfer part of its EU budget for fruit and vegetables to milk, or vice versa, depending on its priorities and needs. It may also request only part of its budget, or conversely more than its budget. The European Commission adopts a decision to fix the EU budget by country for each school year.

2022/23 school year – EU budget by country

2021/22 school year – EU budget by country

2020/21 school year – EU budget by country

2019/20 school year – EU budget by country

Redistribution of 2022/23 funding to support displaced Ukrainian children

In June 2022, the Commission published a regulation which invited EU countries to review their requests for aid under the school scheme for the 2022/23 school year. This came in light of the unprecedented situation brought about by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which calls for solidarity between EU countries to ease the burden on those at the forefront of catering for displaced Ukrainian children.

EU countries submitted either the additional amount they were requesting under the scheme, or the amount of their national allocation that was not required. Any unused amounts were redirected to the countries welcoming the highest number of Ukrainian children. As a result, a total of 2.9 million euro was redistributed to cater for the needs of displaced Ukrainian children in EU schools.

School scheme by country

Countries that wish to participate in the scheme draw up a strategy, at national or regional level, covering a period of six years.

Each country's strategy outlines the objectives (such as an increase in fruit and vegetables consumption to meet the recommended five portions per day), the beneficiaries (e.g. children in primary schools), the products, the education activities and arrangements for the implementation of the scheme.

Each participating country is required to monitor and evaluate the scheme. Monitoring reports cover each school year.

Evaluation reports cover five school years and will be available from 1 March 2023.

The Commission does not approve the countries’ strategies, or monitoring and evaluation reports. It makes them public, together with providing a contact point in each country for information on how to participate and details on implementation.

Strategies, monitoring reports and contacts by country.

Legal bases

The following regulations set out the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme (please refer to the consolidated version of each regulation):

• Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, Articles 22 to 25 and Annex V;
• Council Regulation (EU) No 1370/2013, Article 5 and Annex I;
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/39, with rules for uniform implementation of the scheme;
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/40, with additional specific rules for the implementation of the scheme.