Local fruit in schools in Sint-Truiden

2-3-2026

The "bad" examples are well known: schools in the middle of a fruit-growing region where apples and pears are distributed as part of school fruit programmes, even though they come from dozens or sometimes even hundreds of kilometres away. Sint-Truiden, the "capital" of the Belgian fruit region of Haspengouw, is taking a different approach. From 2 February to 30 June 2026, all 4,150 nursery and primary school children in Sint-Truiden will receive Belgian fruit at school twice a week. 

This promotes the consumption of healthy food, boosts the local economy and promotes locally grown fruit.

To implement this project, the city of Sint-Truiden is working with partners such as BelOrta, LC Packaging Belgium, UCLL Business Management University College and IN-Z vzw. The BelOrta fruit and vegetable auction supplies child-sized fruit from a warehouse in Sint-Truiden. After starting with pome fruit, berry fruit such as strawberries and raspberries and cherries will follow from May onwards, supplemented by locally produced fruit juice. A varied range of products will be used to test flavours and processing options for a rich menu in the next school year.

The Flemish government is subsidising the project. This school year, schools will be supplied with fruit for 20 weeks. In the next school year (2026/2027), this is to be extended to 40 weeks and several deliveries per week.  (Source: Press release from the municipality of Sint-Truiden)