The European Commission yesterday proposed to establish a European Union-wide scheme to provide free fruit and vegetables to school children. European funds worth €90 million every year would pay for the purchase and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables to schools, and this money would be matched by national funds in those Member States which chose to make use of the programme. The Commission has already created a ‘Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity and related... ...Read more »

The favourite snacks of children remain confectionery and potato chips but a new survey reports that healthier snacking options are beginning to tried by young children. The survey required children to list their favourite after school snacks, with 48% of school children aged 11-16 listing potato chips (crisps) among their favourite snacks followed by chocolate/sweets (39%), biscuits/cakes (32%), fruit (32%) and soft drinks (27%). A similar picture emerged for children aged 4-11 years old but fruit... ...Read more »

The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Contaminants Panel (CONTAM) has assessed the risks and benefits to consumers from nitrates in vegetables and concluded that the beneficial effects of eating vegetables and fruit outweigh potential risk to human health from exposure to nitrate through vegetables. “We assessed both the risk and benefits of exposure to nitrate from vegetables and concluded that the beneficial effects of vegetables prevail,” Josef Schlatter, chair of EFSA’s... ...Read more »

New research has established that a Mediterranean diet could help prevent Type-2 diabetes - a disease which is becoming more prevalent across Australia. An expert in the health benefits of seafood, Mr Roy Palmer, said today that a major research project indicated adherence to a Mediterranean diet reduced the risk of Type-2 diabetes by more than 80%. “With 700,000 Australians diagnosed with T2 diabetes already, and 100,000 more people joining them every year, greatly increasing their... ...Read more »

As the world struggles with escalating wheat, rice and dairy costs it now appears Australian fresh fruit and vegetable prices are set to rise as well. Chief Executive Officer of Growcom, Jan Davis, claims that fertiliser and chemical prices now comprise between 11 per cent and 14 per cent of total farm input costs with the recent dramatic increase in prices blamed on a lack of fertiliser suppliers. “Growers are concerned that limited competition in the fertiliser supply industry is creating... ...Read more »

Peak horticulture body Growcom has reacted with outrage at Queensland legislation introduced last night which has withdrawn damage mitigation permits for the shooting of flying foxes. The decision came after almost a decade of campaigning by conservationists. Growcom Chief Executive Officer Jan Davis said the lack of consultation with Queensland’s $1.14 billion fruit industry on the issue was a disgrace and the decision must be reversed immediately. “Primary Industries & Fisheries... ...Read more »

Popular celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has called for fines for restaurants who serve out of season fruit and vegetables. Ramsay, who wants restaurants to get more of their food from local sources, claims the plan would boost chefs “levels of inspiration” and lead to improved food quality. “Fruit and veg should be seasonal,” he said in an interview with the BBC after discussing his idea with British PM Gordon Brown. “Chefs should be fined if they haven’t... ...Read more »

With consumers struggling to deal with rising food, fuel and finance costs comes the introduction of a new type of discount food retailer in Australia. A new budget supermarket is set to be opened in Mildura which embraces marked fruit and vegetables in order to keep costs down for the consumer. The new supermarket, Vinnies Budget Store, is an initiative of the St.Vincent de Paul Society. Australian supermarkets refuse to take the products on with concerns that consumers are too picky... ...Read more »

Australian fresh produce marketing company, Perfection Fresh, has secured the exclusive rights for Australia to market a new premium apple, EnchantedTM, developed by the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) as part of the Australian National Apple Breeding Program. Perfection Fresh supply manager - fruit, Phil Butler said the natural non-browning characteristics of EnchantedTM set it apart, presenting a valuable marketing edge with which to enter the competitive Australian apple market. “Perfection... ...Read more »

Industry participants from the citrus supply chain, from growers to retailers, have recently discussed prospects for the upcoming citrus season at national forums facilitated by Australian Citrus Growers Inc (ACG). Despite the tough conditions created by the ongoing drought and low water allocations faced by many Australian citrus growers, consumers can expect high quality, great eating Australian Navel oranges and mandarins this autumn/winter. Australia’s favourite mandarin variety,... ...Read more »