Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2021
205. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the funding available for food dudes and incredible edibles; the funding that has been available for these schemes in each year since they commenced; the number of schools and students that have availed of the schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17687/21]
View answerMy Department supports Agri Aware’s Incredible Edibles programme, a healthy eating initiative for Primary School pupils. The programme is also supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Health. It encourages schools across the country to grow carrots, lettuce, potatoes, strawberries, turnips and herbs. Schools are supplied with grow packs, activity sheets and videos containing everything needed to grow these foods. Funding provided by my Department for this programme is as follows:
Year Initiative Amount 2016 Incredible Edibles €5,000 2017 Incredible Edibles €7,500 2018 Incredible Edibles €11,500 2019 Incredible Edibles €11,500 2020 Incredible Edibles €11,500
With the project now in its 13th year, over 42,000 pupils from 1,600 schools in 29 different counties around Ireland, are set to undertake the programme.
The Food Dudes Programme is a healthy eating programme developed to encourage children to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. It is implemented in primary schools and is based on repeated tastings of fruit and vegetables supported by positive role modelling and rewards. The Food Dudes Programme is currently being implemented in Ireland under an EU six-year strategy framework covering the period 1 August 2017-July 2023.
The Food Industry Development Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has specific responsibility for the implementation of the EU School Scheme which provides funding for the Food Dudes Programme and the School Milk Scheme in Ireland.
