A healthy eating programme has launched in two Jersey primary schools.

'Food Dudes' was piloted in 2019 and starts this week in Janvrin and St Luke's.

The scheme will be extended to all other primary schools over the next 12 months.

They'll get a daily delivery of fruit and veg, play videos to teach children about healthy eating, and start a rewards scheme to encourage youngsters to eat healthily.

Associate nutritionist Beau Waugh says it's about incentivising and rewarding behaviour.

"The Food Dudes are these four cool characters, slightly older than the children that we're delivering the programme to, and they're these cool dudes that the children try to emulate.

They are on a mission to battle General Junk who is trying to starve the world by stealing everyone's fruit and vegetables.

It captures the imagination and it really gets the kids excited about it."

The programme has been rolled out in schools across the UK and further afield in the US and Canada.

It's based on the three Rs:

• Repeat tasting
• Role modelling
• Rewards

"We do know, generally speaking, that it's really important that children are eating enough fruit and vegetables - which will allow them to maintain a healthy weight going forward." - Beau Waugh.

It's estimated that only one in four children eat the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables every day.

The government has set a target of increasing physical activity in Jersey by 10% by 2030.

"Unfortunately, we have an increasing number of children who are becoming what is considered overweight or obese during their development in primary school from reception to year six.

Evidence-based programmes, such as Food Dudes, which has a strong body of research demonstrating the difference it makes, is an excellent way to make teaching children about healthy eating more fun and exciting." - Deputy Scott Wickenden, Children & Education Minister.