# Heróis da Fruta school nutrition project in Portugal

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/heris-da-fruta-school-nutrition-project-in-portugal
> Updated: 2026-09-23T21:02:42.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The ‘Heróis da Fruta’ (Fruit Heroes) project, a collaboration between the University of Lisbon’s Institute of Environmental Health and the Portuguese Association Against Childhood Obesity (APCOI), has demonstrated success in improving student nutrition across various Portuguese regions.

In the Beja district and Madeira, the program reported significant increases in daily fruit consumption and the number of students trying new produce. In Madeira, the initiative included planting fruit trees on school grounds. 

Subsequent reports from the Cascais municipality also indicate positive outcomes, with an increase in students consuming healthy daily snacks and over half of participants reporting they tried new fruits or vegetables for the first time. The program utilizes pedagogical activities and practical challenges to encourage balanced nutrition and combat childhood obesity.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Cascais school project improves student eating habits

The ‘Heróis da Fruta’ project in Cascais, Portugal, has successfully increased healthy snack consumption among students from 64.9% to 81.3%.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cascais-school-project-improves-student-eating-habits

### 2026-09-14: Heróis da Fruta project improves student nutrition in Portugal

The ‘Heróis da Fruta’ project has successfully improved dietary habits among Portuguese students, with high rates of new produce consumption reported in Beja and Madeira.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/heris-da-fruta-project-improves-student-nutrition-in-portugal

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Cite as: Heróis da Fruta school nutrition project in Portugal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/heris-da-fruta-school-nutrition-project-in-portugal