The Regional Director for Education considered "extremely important" that schools Azores focus on the combat to child obesity and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, particularly through food.

Graça Teixeira welcomed the significant adherence of schools to the programme “Heróis da Fruta – Lanche Escolar Saudável” (Fruit Heroes - Healthy School Snack) in the current school year. The government official assured that the Regional Directorate for Education will continue, in a joint action with the Portuguese Association Against Childhood Obesity (APCOI), to raise the awareness of schools for the importance of joining this initiative.

In the current school year, nearly 1,200 children from 34 schools and kindergartens on the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Faial, Pico and Corvo participated in this project, which is already in its 3rd edition; the first phase started on October 14.

The "Heróis da Fruta" project, an educational programme based on motivational intervention, aims to increase the daily consumption of fruit among children up to 10 years, thus contributing to the prevention of childhood obesity and other related diseases.

Mário Silva, president and founder of APCOI revealed that the third edition of the project "exceeded all expectations," involving more children than the total of participants in the previous two editions.

This new level has been achieved due to the participation of several partners in this nationwide project. In this context, the Regional Government expects to extend its involvement in this project in the next school year.

Currently the lyrics for the "Hino da Fruta" (Hymn to Fruit) are being written as part of the activities included in this project.

The winning schools will be rewarded and will also host the initiative "Festa dos Super-Heróis da Fruta" (Party of Fruit Super Heroes).