Three Azorean schools are among the finalists of the project "Heróis da Fruta - Lanche Escolar Saudável 2013-2014" (Fruit Heroes - Health School Snack 2013-2014). The initiative is promoted Portuguese Association Against Childhood Obesity (APCOI) in partnership with other entities, including the Regional Directorate for Education.

 During the second phase of this project, which consisted of a public voting on the "Hinos da Fruta" (Hymn to Fruit), three regional schools were selected: Lomba do Loução kindergarten and elementary school, municipality of Povoação, Covoada kindergarten and elementary school, municipality of Ponta Delgada and Colégio de São Francisco Xavier, also in the this municipality.

 Schools invited adults to take part in this project by voting on the "Hinos da Fruta," i.e., the songs written by children to share the important lessons they have learned about health eating.

 The first stage of the project included a 12-week education camp that was developed by APCOI and implemented in classrooms in collaboration with teachers. It involved the participation of over 70 thousand students from 1,200 school establishments across the country.

 In the final phase of this project, winners will be selected by jury composed by the following members: actor and APCOI ambassador, Ricardo Carriço; the hero of the children's television series "Vila Moleza," "Sportacus"; the healthiest and funniest clown in the country, "Vira-Vento," and the founding partners of APCOI, represented by its president, Mário Silva.

 The jury will analyse the creativity of all songs submitted by participants and announce the three winners among 60 finalists and also another winner among those who were selected as finalists by the public.

 The winning students will be host the initiative "Festa dos Super-Heróis da Fruta" (Party of Fruit Super Heroes) at their schools in the end of the school year. This initiative consists in a theatre play highlighting the importance of fruit in the daily diet of children.

In addition to students, teachers will also be awarded prizes, through the reserved area on the website www.heroisdafruta.com. The remaining participants will receive participation diplomas and will also be awarded customised medals.