In 2015 Newsround (BBC) commissioned a survey with more than 1,400 children across the UK. They found that more than half the children did not eat one single portion of the recommended 5- a day!

The survey also showed that 52 children in every 100 did not eat any vegetables and 44 in every 100 did not eat fruit on a daily basis.

It showed that after being educated in why fruit and vegetables are important, the children were making changes to eat more.

We are seeing this also, children are capable of making changes to their diets, even though adults control the purse strings.

In 2024 from our data children who attended the HAF programmes, funded by CHP over the past 2 years, show the 2 prominent reasons why the children at the beginning of the programme did not consume enough fruit and vegetables.

1.       Their parents do not buy fruit and vegetables because they don’t like them.

2.       Their parents struggle to buy fresh food on low incomes.

Felicitous Foodology and CHP make sure one of the main elements of our HAF programmes are to introduce the children to try as many fruits and vegetables that they want to, whilst attending the cookery and nutritional programmes during school holidays.

So many children over the past 2 years have enjoyed preparing fruit salads to eat and take home to their families and so many children were delighted at finding out how delicious fruits and vegetables are.

If they get the chance, these children love to eat fruit and vegetables and make their own fresh foods.

Many of our children had no idea what a strawberry, watermelon or blueberries were and that’s so sad, in this day and age!

Some saying “miss I don’t want none of those red things” When asked which red things?  They would point to strawberries!

How in 2024 does an 11-year-old not know the name of a common fruit in the UK?

Fortunately, these children return to our programmes year after year and they are like little sponges and they do take on board what we teach, and they do eat more fruit and vegetables, because they actually really like them.

At the start of the HAF programmes, 1 in every 20 children did not eat their 5 a day.

In the second year, 16 in every 20 children were eating more fruit and vegetables. Proving education amongst our school aged children does and can have effects, that carry into adulthood.

We have a community fridge at the hub, where CHP tenants and their children have a life line to fresh foods and any food that has been donated. 

Any donations would really be appreciated as winter is on its way and families have to choose between food or heating.

Any fresh, canned or near to expiry sell by date foods or unwanted produce for these very vulnerable families, would be a lifeline this winter.

If you are local and can help to cement these new eating habits that have been learnt and provide these families with any unwanted or going to waste healthier foods, please contact;

The CHP Hub in Chelmsford, Essex UK.

Thank you