Parents and carers across the State are being encouraged to fill their children’s lunchboxes with fresh fruit and veg following the easing of fruit fly restrictions.
Leading the call, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, David Basham said the news offered some relief to families who had dealt with fruit fly restrictions for up to two years and were now navigating a different start to the school year.
“In December, we were able to lift most fruit fly restrictions across South Australia, which means many families can go back to packing a range of fresh fruit and vegetables in lunchboxes,” Mr Basham said.
“I encourage parents and students to once again fill lunchboxes with a range of fresh fruit and vegetables,” he said.
The Minister said the Department of Primary Industries and Regions’ (PIRSA) fruit fly website included a hub of recipe ideas to help families prepare fruit and vegetables for safely packing in lunchboxes.
“We are still fighting an outbreak at Ridleyton in the city and in the Riverland, so if you live in these areas please head to our dedicated fruit fly website and check the maps,” he said.
“Families in these areas need to continue packing fruit and vegetables that are not restricted, such as delicious South Australian rockmelon, other melon or pineapple, snowpeas or cucumber, or alternatively source fruit from the school canteen.”
Mr Basham said restrictions due to Queensland fruit fly will continue around the Ridleyton area until 22 February and around Pike River and Renmark West in the Riverland until 13 March, as long as there are no further detections.
PIRSA’s fruit fly website can be accessed at this PS News link.
