Discounter Lidl has announced the launch of the second year of its healthy eating programme, which aims to promote better diets among schoolchildren.

Lidl Foodies offers teachers free interactive lesson plans, vouchers for fruit and vegetables and a number of resources to make healthy eating accessible.

The initiative reached over 200,000 pupils in the previous year, and as part of the scheme, the first 750 schools will receive a £100 Lidl gift card.

It was created in partnership with the National Schools Partnership, which offers workshops that encourage students to explore fresh produce with a mix of hands-on activities.

Matt Juden-Bloomfield, head of sustainability (CSR) at Lidl GB said: “We believe that as many as possible should have a ‘vegucation’. That’s what Lidl Foodies is all about, showing pupils that fruit and veg can be fun, flavourful and full of goodness.

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“In just one year, over 200,000 children have tasted new ingredients and discovered where their food comes from, and some have even started growing their own greens. Teachers tell us it’s opening up kids’ vocabulary around food and growing their confidence.”

The scheme was created after research found that 73% of teachers felt unprepared to inform students about diet diversity because of a lack of resources, training and time.

The move is part of the retailer’s push towards promoting healthy eating among consumers.

Juden-Bloomfield added: “Healthy habits don’t happen overnight, but by planting the right seeds early, together we can nurture a generation that feels at home with healthy food. That’s why we’ve invested over £500,000 in Lidl Foodies, and we’re encouraging even more teachers to join us to ‘vegucate’ the nation.”