Schools’ fruit and veg scheme axed after four years

FRUIT and vegetables will no longer be supplied to primary schools and kindergartens after the department of agriculture decided to terminate its plan aimed at promoting their consumption.

The move comes a day after rat droppings were found in some produce designated for a school in Paphos but it was not immediately clear whether the termination of the contract was directly related to the incident, and the authorities did not specify.

In a statement on Wednesday, the agriculture ministry simply said that after four years, the co-financed project would be scrapped after the supplier defaulted on the contractual terms originally agreed.

“This co-financed project, which is currently in its fourth year of implementation in Cyprus’ schools has been terminated due to default of the contractual terms by the company, which, after a tenders process, undertook the supply of fruits and vegetables in all kindergartens and primary schools,” the statement said.

The rat droppings were found on Tuesday on fruit and vegetable which were due to be eaten by children at Paphos primary school and kindergarten.  Reports said the produce, apples, cucumbers and raisins, were to be consumed by the children in Kouklia village.

However, the headmistress noticed that rodents had gotten to the produce, refused to take delivery, and informed the ministry.

 

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