UNDP Moldova, in partnership with Moldova Fruct Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters, extend Coolege Vitamine campaign to kids in public schools and kindergartens outside Chisinau. The extension is intended to trial a distribution of fresh fruits to 6,000 kids from 49 educational institutions in 13 districts, IPN reports, quoting a press release of UNDP Moldova.

“I consider today’s action as a nice one and welcome for the kids. These are quality and environmentally friendly products and, if before this action, we have vitaminized children’s food with vitamin C from pharmacies, now we do it through the fruits,” says Zinaida Ceban, director of the kindergarten “Andries” in Onitcani, Criuleni district.

The trial intends to raise awareness of the necessity of fresh fruits consumption by kids and aims to pave the way towards the development and testing of “Fruits in schools” scheme, similar to those already functioning in countries from the regions.

Coolege Vitamine pilots a distribution scheme executed directly by private sector companies. Moldova Fruct Association is the largest association of fresh fruits producers and exporters in the Republic of Moldova and it gathers more than 170 producers.

According to WHO, Moldovan kids consume only 60% of the minimum quantity recommended daily. Since autumn 2016, 3,500 kids from 5 schools and kindergartens from Chisinau have received apple snacks twice per week.