Aldi has announced a £2m investment into its Get Set to Eat Fresh programme, which educates children on the connection between healthy eating, physical activity and overall wellbeing.

The discounter teamed up with TeamGB and ParalympicsGB to provide schools with free resources promoting healthier habits, and the additional funding will support the scheme over the next five years.

Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, said: “Through the Get Set to Eat Fresh programme, we’ve spent the last 10 years supporting schools across the UK with free resources that help children understand the connection between eating well and staying active in a fun and practical way.

“We want families to feel supported with simple ideas that are realistic for everyday life whilst offering great value on fresh produce – so healthy choices feel more achievable all year round.”

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This comes as new research commissioned by Aldi revealed that children spend an average of five hours a week outdoors instead of nine during the winter compared to summer.

A poll of 1,000 parents of 4- to 12-year-olds revealed that close to a third (31 per cent) of children spend 20 minutes or less outdoors each day over the colder months.

Additionally, parents responded that 38 per cent of children’s fruit and vegetable intake decreases when their favourite produce is out of season, while 25 per cent claimed their children are less keen on winter vegetables such as cabbage and sprouts.

The research also found a positive connection between outdoor activity and healthier eating.

Over two-fifths (42 per cent) of parents stated they found it easier to encourage children to eat fruit and vegetables after they had been active outdoors.