Joyful Fruit & Veg Month Celebrates 20 Years of Promoting Healthy Eating in Schools

2026-03-24 19:00 Last Updated At：19:08

DH marks 20th anniversary of promoting Joyful Fruit & Veg in schools and launches Joyful Fruit & Veg Month in April to further strengthen promotion and education

The Department of Health (DH) today (March 24) held the launching ceremony and award presentation ceremony for Joyful Fruit & Veg Month to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the event and commend the active participation of various schools and organisations in creating a supportive environment that encourages students to have an adequate daily intake of fruit and vegetables.

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DH marks 20th anniversary of promoting Joyful Fruit & Veg in schools and launches Joyful Fruit & Veg Month in April to further strengthen promotion and education Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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DH marks 20th anniversary of promoting Joyful Fruit & Veg in schools and launches Joyful Fruit & Veg Month in April to further strengthen promotion and education Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Officiating at the ceremony, the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, "Strong scientific evidence shows that consuming an adequate amount of fruit and vegetables helps reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer. A healthy, balanced diet also helps reduce being overweight and obesity, and improves the health of the public. However, the DH's Student Health Service Annual Health Report for 2024/25 School Yearshows that 89.4 per cent of students (82.5 per cent of primary school students and 96.8 per cent of secondary school students) reported an inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables per day (i.e. an average of fewer than four servings for primary school students and fewer than five servings for secondary school students) in the 2024/25 school year, indicating a need for improvement. In view of this, in the 2025/26 school year, the DH has upgraded its fruit and vegetablespromotion event to Joyful Fruit & Veg Month. So far, more than 1 700 schools have participated, benefiting nearly 600 000 students, a record high. The theme of this year is 'The Fruit and Veg Duo, Your Health-Boosting Combo', reminding students and parents that fruit and vegetables are the best partners for good health. The theme also echoes the DH's Action Plan on Weight Management, launched in early March, which spans the entire life cycle, and promotes the adoption of healthy diets and lifestyles from an early age to prevent obesity and various chronic diseases."

Since the 2006/07 school year, the DH has held the annual Joyful Fruit Day to encourage students to eat enough fruit every day. In the 2012/13 school year, the event was upgraded, and April was designated as Joyful Fruit Month each year. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the event. A total of 286 schools have participated in the event for 20 consecutive years. To recognise these schools for their long-term commitment to and support of the event, commendations and awards were presented to them.

Building on past success, starting from April 1, the DH will organise various publicity activities in collaboration with schools and community stakeholders. A variety of resources and teaching materials will also be provided to schools to encourage them to organise systematic promotional activities throughout the school year, with a view to enhancing students' awareness of having sufficient fruit and vegetables and a healthy diet, and encouraging them to put this into practice.

The DH expresses its sincere gratitude to schools, parents and all sectors of the community for their continuous support for the "EatSmart@school.hk" Campaign and Joyful Fruit & Veg Month, which have contributed to the balanced physical and mental development of students and to the overall public health of Hong Kong. To tie in with this year's Joyful Fruit & Veg Month, the DH earlier organised the A Sufficient Intake of Fruit and Vegetables Colouring Competition 2026, inviting participation from kindergarten, child care centre and primary school students. The competition received over 1 600 entries from more than 240 schools. Through colours and creativity, participating students expressed their love for fruit and vegetables and their support for a healthy diet.

Other officiating guests at the ceremony included the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui; the Principal Assistant Secretary (Education Infrastructure) of the Education Bureau, Ms Katharine Choi; the Head of the Health Promotion Branch of the DH, Dr Kellie So; the Project Director of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology, Ms Lee Shuk-ling; member of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation Ms Rebecca Ng; and the Head of Business and Communications of Hong Kong Education City, Ms Michelle Lee.

Members of the public who wish to obtain more information about Joyful Fruit & Veg Month and the list of commended schools may visit the Joyful Fruit & Veg Month thematic website of the DH.

John Lee Attends Boao Forum, Highlights Hong Kong's Role in Free Trade and Regional Cooperation

CE arrives in Hainan to attend Boao Forum for Asia annual conference (with photo/video)

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, arrived in Hainan today (March 24) to attend the Global Free Trade Ports Development Forum at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026.

Addressing the Forum, Mr Lee said that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Boao Forum for Asia. The Forum has long fostered regional co-operation and become a premier platform for Asia's economic co-operation. This year is the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which fully supports the high-quality development of the Hainan Free Trade Port. He congratulated the Hainan Free Trade Port on the smooth implementation of island-wide special customs operations and the swift rollout of a number of business-friendly policies, noting that these represent an important showcase in the country's efforts to promote free trade and advance high-standard opening up. He expressed confidence that Hong Kong, as a global trading hub, will continue to complement the Hainan Free Trade Port and pursue mutual benefits, working together to promote free trade.

Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is ranked No. 1 in the world in economic freedom. Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantages of having the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. Hong Kong's common law system is aligned with major global financial hubs, its tax system is simple and low, and capital, goods, talent and information all flow freely. Hong Kong remains steadfastly committed to free trade and multilateralism and will continue to expand its global trade network, leverage its network to connect investors with opportunities, and further promote regional economic development and prosperity.

Mr Lee said that China is the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2026. The APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting will be held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for the first time in October 2026. The HKSAR Government will spare no effort to ensure the full success of the meeting and leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle in connecting the Mainland and the world to deepen international exchanges and co-operation.

In the evening, Mr Lee attended the Boao Forum for Asia 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner to exchange views with key guests from various countries.

Mr Lee will continue his visit to Hainan tomorrow (March 25).

Joyful Fruit & Veg Month Celebrates 20 Years of Promoting Healthy Eating in Schools

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