AROUND 45 jobs will be created after a group of Kent-based companies won lucrative contracts to provide school children with a range of fruit under the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme.

The scheme, which will provide almost 328,000 four to six-year-olds in the South East with a free piece of fruit or vegetable every school day, will be officially launched across the region in the autumn term.

It is part of the 5 A DAY programme, which aims to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer in later life.

Dr Mike Gill, regional director of public health, said: “Poor diet and obesity are major factors that contribute to heart disease and cancer. This scheme will help to teach children about healthy eating at an early age.

“It is a great added bonus that much of the fruit and vegetables that will be eaten in the region’s schools has been procured locally thus supporting local growers and distributors.”

Contracts to provide the scheme across the South East were awarded to six Kent-based firms – five fruit suppliers and one distributor. Several contracts to supply other regions have also been won by Kent companies.

The total cost for the whole region is expected to be around £5m for the next academic year. Up to 45 jobs will be created across the region for the drivers and warehouse staff required.

It is the biggest single initiative in child nutrition since the introduction of free school milk in 1946.