EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. Evaluation of implementation of the School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme in the Czech Republic

Transcription

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Evaluation of implementation of the School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme in the Czech Republic Introduction This report provides an assessment of implementation of the School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme in the Czech Republic in school year 2015/2016. It is based on a survey of the principals of the schools that participated in the scheme and of the suppliers of fruit and vegetables to pupils from 1-5 grade. Data for these two groups of respondents were collected from to Out of 3810 schools that were contacted, a total of 3349 completed the questionnaire (response rate of 87.9%). The questionnaire was completed by all 16 suppliers involved in the scheme. The school principals were asked about the organisation and implementation of the scheme in their school, cooperation with the fruit and vegetables suppliers, information regarding the scheme, the children s background, their overall assessment of the scheme as well as their plans for the next school year. The suppliers were asked about the frequency of deliveries, the quantity and types of supplied fruit and vegetables, the method of delivery, the origin of the supplied fruit and vegetables. In addition, as in the previous evaluation of the scheme carried out in the 2012/13 school year, the survey also included parents of children in preparatory classes as well as in primary schools who participated in the scheme. Parents were asked about their own and their children's eating habits at home, the consumption of fruit and vegetables and were also asked to identify changes experienced by children after participation in the scheme. A total of parents expressed their opinion on some aspects of the scheme. The report is divided into seven chapters. 1 Organisation and implementation of the School Fruit Scheme as regards distribution of fruit and vegetables and implementation of the accompanying educational measures Most schools used the breaks between lessons to distribute the fruit and vegetables, mostly in the classrooms. In nearly three fifths of schools (59.1%) fruit and vegetables were distributed to pupils by educational staff, in two fifths (40.2 %) by other school employees (e.g. school caretaker or cook), in 6.2 % of schools pupils served themselves from the designated place or machine, 1

2 and only 0.2 % of schools reported that fruit and vegetables were distributed by parents or other external persons % of the schools that have a canteen stated that these canteens offered fruit and vegetables other than as part of the school scheme, while the fruit and vegetables were offered only in 40.5 % of school cafeterias. In the 2015/16 school year, the school principals were asked whether they would be able to store fruit and vegetables without compromising the quality, if the contractor delivered fruit and vegetables for pupils for several days. A quarter of them said they did not know the answer. Out of those who could assess the situation, at least 52 % should be able to store at least one portion for each pupil, 7 % of schools indicated that they could store less than 1 portion for each pupil in the project and 41 % think that the schools does not have capacity to store any fruit and vegetables distributed under the School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme. In terms of accompanying educational measures, the schools most often supported activities to develop knowledge about fruit and vegetables (88.6%), 41% of schools also organized educational environmental projects while 36.6% organised school project days focusing on the dissemination of information about fruit and vegetables and the importance of eating them, 33.3% cultivated fruit and vegetables and 24.6% held competitions. 39 schools indicated that they would wish to implement activities linked to the preparation and consumption of healthy dishes. 2 Cooperation with the fruit and vegetable supplier 2.1. Brief overview In the 2015/16 school year, 3.3 portions of fruit and vegetables per pupil were supplied every month for the whole school year, which is consistent with the school year 2014/15. More than half of the schools (54.4%) stated that they considered the optimal frequency of fruit and vegetables four times a month, another third (33.5%) reported frequency of twice a month. The proportion of fruits and vegetables from the Czech Republic rose at the expense of fruit and vegetables from other countries. The most frequently supplied fruit were apple (25.3% of the total number of delivered servings) and fruit or vegetable juice (12.5%). Quite often were pears delivered (10%), followed by mandarins (8.9%),oranges (6.6%) and, as regards vegetables, tomatoes (including cherry tomatoes) (5.2%). Conversely, melons, cucumbers and pomelo represented not even one tenth of a percent of the total number of delivered meals. The proportion of schools that require a moderate or significant increase in products from the Czech Republic rises at the expense of diversity (from 55.8% to 43.9%). 2

3 Most frequently offered accompanying measures were fruit and vegetables tastings. A total of 58.3% of schools said they took advantage of some accompanying activities offered by the supplier. 2.2 Frequency of fruit and vegetable supplies Suppliers were questioned on the frequency of the supplies of fruit and vegetables to schools in the 2015/2016 school year. Three of the 16 suppliers said that they deliver all schools fruits and vegetables at the same intervals. Compared to the previous school year the proportion of suppliers who took into account the distance of the school also increased (from 6.7% to 12.5%). 2.3 Size of portions of fruit and vegetables, year on year comparison Each pupil received on average 390 grams of fruit or vegetables during the school year. The average weight of a single portion for all suppliers increased compared to the previous two years, however, in March 2011, 2012 and 2013 was even higher. 2.4 Satisfaction of schools with the frequency of deliveries More than half of the schools stated that they considered the optimal frequency of fruit and vegetable deliveries four times a month, another third reported frequency of twice a month, a total of 8.3% of schools would welcome a higher frequency than four times month. Absolute majority of schools demanded the frequency of deliveries four times a month and almost a tenth of even higher frequency. 2.5 Selection of supplied fruit and vegetables in the school year 2015/ % of schools could never affect what kinds of fruits and/or vegetables will be delivered by the supplier, only 12.2% of schools were occasionally involved in the selection of products, 9.9% could mostly decide on the distributed products and only 4.2% were always involved in the selection procedure. 2.6 The form and the origin of supplies The most common form of delivering fruit and vegetables included the delivery of individual whole pieces of whole fruit and vegetables. Compared to the previous school year, the frequency of delivering whole pieces of fruit and vegetables and packaged juices and fruit and vegetables increased. Only four suppliers never supplied packaged whole fruit and vegetables in a cup, punnet or a bag, 3

4 while six did so occasionally, one company in half cases. More than one third of all suppliers delivered fruit and vegetables from the Czech Republic, 59.7% from other EU countries and 5.9% from other countries. 2.7 Satisfaction with the quality of educational measures, diversity and form of supplied fruit and vegetables, and overall cooperation with suppliers The evaluation of those aspects was positive. 97.6% of responding schools were satisfied with their suppliers, 97.5% were satisfied with form in which the products are delivered and98.6% with the quality of the products. In the school year 2014/2015 and 2015/16 the schools were asked whether they welcomed the increase in the proportion of supplied fruit and vegetables from the Czech Republic or, on the contrary, whether they would prefer an increase in diversity of products or keeping the status quo. In both school years prevailed the opinion that the share of fruit and vegetables originating in the Czech Republic should increase. 2.8 Use and evaluation of accompanying educational activities implemented by the suppliers A total of 58.3% of schools said that in the academic year 2015/16 they took advantage of an accompanying activity implemented by the suppliers. Most frequently used activities were tastings of fruit and vegetable products which were carried out in 86.3% cases. A total of 45.4% of schools reported that they held a contest to promote the consumption of fruit and vegetables More than a third of schools (36.8%) also mentioned discussions and talks on fruits and vegetables, healthy eating habits and environment. More than a fifth then said they were offered equipment and plants for school gardens and orchards. 3. Information and information sources for the School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme 3.1 Brief overview of findings The best known and most widely used sources of information about the School fruit and vegetables schemes in schools were websites and Another frequently used source was the CD "All plums have stones". 4

5 Schools participating in the network of Health Promoting Schools were informed about with portal 5 keys to safe food, the main portal of the EU and EU portal on public health more than schools which were not involved in the network. The correct answer to the question, how many times a day should a person eat a portion of fruit or vegetables (5 times a day) was provided by 30.8% of school principals. In 43% cases the answer was 3 times a day and in 23.6% the answer was 1 per day. The remaining 2.5% of school directors were not familiar with this recommendation. Compared to the previous school year, the proportion of correct answers (5 times daily) increased by nearly one percent (from 29.9% to 30.8%). In the school year 2011/12 was the correct answers only 18.3% and in the 2010/11 school year even less %. It can be said that familiarity with this recommendation tends to rise, although the last three years have been comparable. Health Promoting Schools Network in the academic year 2014/15 involved 16% of the schools that participated in the project, fruits and vegetables to schools. The share of schools participating in the Health Promoting Schools Network was in observed school years almost identical (approx %) Familiarity with and use of various information sources Only 0.7% of schools said they do not know the project's website while 73.4% know and use it. Other 23.8% are familiar with the website, but do not use them. The second most frequently used source of information is the CD "All plums have stones" that was used in practice in 27.5% of schools. A total of 40% of schools are not familiar with this CD. EU portal on public health is known by 62.2% of schools, but is used only in 8.4% of schools. Nearly a half of the schools are familiar with the European Union portal but the portal is used only by 4.1% of schools. 3.3 Familiarity with the recommended frequency of intake of fruits and vegetables The project promotes eating of fruits and vegetables 5 times a day. 30.8% of the children involved in the project stated the correct answer (5 times daily) which indicates increase by nearly one percent in comparison with the previous school year. 5

6 4. Cooperation with parents and the influence of family background 4.1. Summary of main findings The most common way in which parents were informed about the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme was the delivery of basic organizational information about the scheme (79.8%) and the publication of information on the school website, to which parents have access (73.1%). Almost two fifths of schools also inform parents about the mission and objectives of the scheme (38.7%) and one fifth stated that parents were forwarded recommendations on proper diet of children (20.4%). Schools participating in the Health Promoting Schools Network reported more frequently than schools not involved in the project that information on the project was published on the website of the school to which parents have access. Between the school years 2014/15 and 2015/16, the proportion of schools that provided parents with information rose from 74.1% to 79.8%. Since the school year 2010/11 the proportion of schools that placed information about the project on the school website has increased. Lack of interest or support by (some) parents was indicated by a total of 21.7% of schools. Of the possible suggested reasons for the lack of interest of parents (Low socioeconomic status of the parents, their overall workload and the fact that parents did not attach much importance to the consumption of fruit and vegetable or were of the opinion that the consumption of fruits and vegetables of their children is sufficient), all were reported as have played a significant role. When it comes to the observed eating habits of pupils, a total of 33.4% of schools reported that no 1st grade pupil has a problem with drinking 100% fruit or vegetable juice, and another 47.1% mentioned the problem occurred in a minority of 1st degree pupils. On the other hand, almost a fifth of schools (18.5%) stated that all students have a problem with eating vegetable soup. 5. Eating habits of pupils 5.1 Brief overview of findings Principles of regular meals (At least five meals a day, breakfast daily etc.) according to the testimony of parents of pupils in the project are followed more by pupils from schools in major cities that have over 50,000 inhabitants, and pupils in 1 st grade of primary school. Problems with regular food intake mostly relate to pupils 4th and 5th grade. Eating habits of students and their parents, compared to 2013, slightly improved or remained the same. 6

7 Although the first-year students skip breakfast least of all years (on average only once every two working weeks), they refuse breakfast more often than older children. Refusing breakfast is solved by parents mostly by motivation, coercion (mostly fathers) or offering something tastier (mostly mothers). Children receive a snack prepared almost every day, while occasionally involved in deciding what to get. Concerning dinner, a child often eats with at least one parent rather than alone. More than a third of respondents (parents) admit their overweight. In children, according to respondents overweight occurs rarely, while the proportion of children with that being overweight is growing rapidly between the 1st and 5th year of primary school. 6. Fruit and vegetable consumption in families and changes observed 6.1 Brief overview of findings Children consumed slightly more fruit than vegetables but among parents it's the opposite. The graph below shows the average number of days when children (first column, dite), mothers (matka) and fathers (otec) consume fruits (ovoce, in orange) and vegetables (zelenina, in green). Fruits and vegetables are eaten more often by girls than boys. Fruits and vegetables are available at home nearly every day. Changes during the scheme were observed relatively frequently in children with less regular eating and in overweight children. For fruit consumption, the trend in consumption slightly decreases as the age of the child increases. 7

8 6.2 Changes associated with the scheme observed by parents More than half of the parents observed a change further to participation in the School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme. Positive changes in consumption of fruit and vegetables were indicated by 14% of parents. 7. Evaluation of the school principals and recommendations 7.1. Brief overview of findings Evaluation of the scheme from school directors was considerably positive. While in the 2010/11 school year the scheme was evaluated with an overall mark of 2.08 out of 5 (from 1: excellent to 5), in the 2015/16 school year from schools overall project received an average rating of 1.40 out of 5. The total average rating, as well as the evaluation of scheme acceptance, were slightly more positive in schools that could always choose from more fruits and vegetables than in schools that could occasionally or never choose. Only a tiny percentage of schools stated that the scheme was a great organizational and time burden. Furthermore, schools were asked whether they think the pupils at stage 2, who have already gone through the scheme, have a positive relationship with fruit and vegetables. Of the schools that were able to assess the situation, the total of 79.6% answered positively. Most schools (97.6%) in the survey said that they are almost or entirely determined that if the Fruits and Vegetables into Schools Scheme continues as it is now set, they would again show interest in participating. Of the 1,308 schools that reflect some change, 38.8% of them considered to change the agreement with the existing supplier in terms of frequency, amount or range of imported products. Only four schools that participated in the survey stated that they are almost or entirely decided that if the scheme in schools continues as it is now, they would not participate in. Comparison between the school years 2010/2011 and 2015/2016 Pedagogical staff responsible for the scheme As can be seen in this chart, the % of pedagogical staff responsible for the implementation of the school scheme in 2010 and 2016 is almost identical. (2010/ %) 8

9 Time and place for distribution of fruit and vegetables Between the school years, the difference in time and place where the pupils were given the fruit and vegetables is negligible. Persons responsible for the distribution If we follow the development from the 2010/2011 school year, then the share of schools in which the distribution of fruit and vegetables was conducted by pedagogical worker has been gradually decreasing, while the proportion of schools, which for this purpose use employees in other professions (cooks, school caretakers) or pupils at the first grade, has increased.. In the 2015/2016 school year, 6.6% of the schools participating in the scheme involved pupils of the 1st grade (years 1-5) in distribution of fruit and vegetables and in 1.4% of the schools the products were distributed by pupils of the 2 nd grade (years 6-9). Accompanying measures The number of schools implementing school project days has been gradually rising. Vending machines The number of schools that possess vending machines other than those which were bought for the purposes of the FV scheme has been gradually declining. Selection of fruit and vegetables by schools Between the 2010/2011 and 2015/2016 school years, there was a gradual increase in the proportion of schools that could choose which fruit and vegetables were going to be delivered to them. Participation in Health Promoting School Network The share of schools participating in the Health Promoting Schools Network was in observed school years almost identical (15-16%). Parents and their interest in the project Over the reporting period, the proportion of schools that did not perceive interest of the parents has risen from 62.2% to 78%. Information sources Compared to the previous school year, no significant differences were observed, although the proportion of schools using websites has slightly increased, while the proportion of schools using the CD "All plums have stones" and the website has moderately decreased. General appreciation of the scheme A total of 2,027 respondents which represents 49% said that the project is beneficial, excellent and are satisfied with it. 9

10 A total of 41 respondents think that the project is beneficial especially for children from socially disadvantaged families. 118 respondents proposed to expand the project for the 2nd grade of primary schools. Proposals for changes in the scheme Focus on raising awareness of healthy eating among parents rather than among children or possibly both among groups. Focus on socially disadvantaged pupils or students at certain locations. Fruits and vegetables in the project should be offered only to children express interest in it. Assessment of accompanying measures Nine respondents praise the accompanying activities (information leaflets about fruits and vegetables etc.) Another 30 proposed to extend the measures so as to include leaflets, excursions and information campaign about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, their cultivation, and even add recipes or involve school gardens. Effect of the scheme on the consumption patterns Twelve parents reported that the scheme had no effect on the children's eating habits, fifty-six that it had a positive impact on the consumption of fruits and vegetables, while fifteen parents mentioned that it did not encourage their children to try new fruits and vegetables. Twenty parents reported that children do not consume fruits and vegetables in the framework of the scheme and that the products end up in a crate or a dustbin. A total of 178 parents reported that their child has a positive attitude towards the project and is excited about it. Parents' opinions parents made additional comments to the questionnaire, through which they expressed their opinion on several aspects of the scheme. Fruit and vegetables offered Out of the overall number of replies, 15 respondents generally praised the variety of fruits and vegetables. 86 respondents criticized the low variety of products. A total of 47 parents proposed to increase the assortment of vegetables. Form of delivery A total of 47 parents suggested delivering of fruits and vegetables in a form, so they can be consumed immediately in the school without further adjustment, therefore it should be for example 10

11 peeled (orange). Fifteen parents were against delivery of fruits and vegetables in the form of salads. Place of consumption 52 parents criticized the fact that children do not consume fruits and vegetables provided under the school scheme at school. Information for parents Overall 41 respondents said that they lack information about when and what type of fruit and vegetable their children get. Frequency and quantity A total of 162 respondents said the frequency of deliveries is low, respectively, requested that the frequency was higher, 54 respondents directly said that the project has no effect due to low frequency of deliveries. The quality of supplied fruits and vegetables 260 respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the fruit supplied. Six parents consider the project counterproductive due to poor quality of products. Origin of supplied fruits and vegetables A total of 166 parents suggested offering regional / domestic products over imported products. 11