Wednesday 21 April 2021: More than 100 million pieces of fruit have now been given to Australian kids since the launch of Woolworths Free Fruit For Kids program.

Building fresh fruit habits from an early age, the Woolworths initiative was the first national program of its kind when it began in 2015.

With 41% of children aged 4 - 8 not receiving their daily recommended intake of one and a half servings of fruit 1,2, the national program is aimed at helping get more fruit into kids diets.

Offering apples, bananas, and pears and mandarins when in season, Woolworths estimates more than 14,000 tonnes of free fruit have been eaten by kids since the program launched - the equivalent to filling more than six Olympic sized swimming pools.

Woolworths General Manager of Fruit and Vegetables, Paul Turner said: “At Woolworths, we want to help kids get their recommended daily intake of fruit.

“Providing Australian kids with more than 100 million pieces of free fruit is one of our largest community initiatives. It not only makes fresh fruit easily accessible for kids across Australia, but is helping build a healthier future for our country.

“We want to say thank you to our customers, especially parents, for embracing the initiative, but also our store teams and farmers for making sure those Free Fruit for Kids baskets are full of great Australian produce for kids to enjoy.”

100 per cent of the fruit given away is from local suppliers, like Mackay Bananas in Queensland and Montague Apples in Victoria.

Tony Alcock, a 2nd generation Alcock Bananas grower said: “As a family-owned, Aussie business, we’re all about taking positive steps to ensure kids build a love for fruit.

“There’s nothing more exciting than knowing our bananas have brought tasty nutrition to so many kids over the last five years through Woolworths Free Fruit for Kids program.”

To celebrate the milestone, Woolworths is offering 100 primary schools and early learning centres across the country the chance to receive free fruit for each student for the day, helping create fresh fruit habits for Aussie kids as they learn.

Applications to receive free fruit for a day are open. To find out more about Woolworths Free Fruit for Kids schools initiative and to apply, visit woolworths.com.au/fruitforschools.

Woolworths continues to invest in other long standing community programs that support the wellbeing and education of children, including Fresh Food Kids Discovery Tours, its partnership with Life Education and Woolworths Junior Landcare grants. Furthermore, Woolworths supports junior sporting initiatives and organisations via partnerships in cricket, netball and surfing and through the Woolworths Discovery Garden collection. 

Parents and kids are encouraged to pick up a free piece of fruit the next time they visit a store.