January 31, 2025

Celebrating 10 years of Fresh Fruit Fridays!

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This year marks a major milestone for the Fresh Fruit Friday Program as we celebrate our 10th year of delivering fresh, healthy fruit to kids across Bendigo and beyond.

Our mission has always been simple yet powerful – to ensure children have access to nutritious fruit and to promote lifelong healthy eating habits.

Despite our progress in our region, statistics show many children are still not meeting the recommended daily intake of fruit. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2022 data, only 63.9% of children aged 2–17 met the recommended daily fruit intake, a decrease from 73% in 2017–18. This means that approximately 36% of Australian children are not consuming the recommended amount of fruit each day.

This is where your continued support can make an enormous difference. Programs like Fresh Fruit Friday can empower kids with the tools they need to lead healthier, more active lives.

The year that was, 2024!

In the past 12 months alone, we’ve made a tremendous impact:

  • 980kg of fruit supplied per week to schools and community programs.
  • 12,750 Bendigo kids reached each week, spreading healthy habits far and wide.
  • Deliveries to 32 schools and kindergartens, plus key community locations including Bendigo Health Emergency Department, Bendigo Golf Club, and Lifely.
  • A whopping 39 tonnes of fresh fruit delivered across the year!

More than just numbers

Beyond the impressive statistics, the true value of the Fresh Fruit Friday program lies in its social impact. Teachers and parents alike have shared countless stories of improved focus, better overall health, and positive lifestyle changes in the kids. Hearing stories like these are what drives us to continue and expand our efforts.

We’re incredibly grateful for the enthusiasm and support from local schools, families, and the broader Bendigo community to get behind this initiative to help shape a healthier future for the next generation.

Weekly visits with local sports stars

A highlight of our program is our weekly school visits, where students are treated to fun and educational sessions with Ambassadors from the Bendigo Braves, Bendigo Spirit, and Bendigo Strikers. These inspiring athletes not only emphasise the importance of healthy eating but also encourage kids to stay active and chase their goals. A great addition to our program, and it’s great to see the students inspired by these athletes.

A heartfelt thank you to our partners

The success of the Fresh Fruit Friday Program would not be possible without our incredible partners. A huge thank you to:

Your generosity and commitment have been instrumental in making this program a reality.

Join us on our mission

As we celebrate this 10 year milestone, we invite you to join us in continuing to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles for Bendigo kids. We would love to have more businesses partner with us so that we can have an even greater impact! https://www.mckern.net.au/how-to-get-involved/