Hundreds of children celebrated National Banana Day with fresh fruit donations from SHP Group.
Brimful banana boxes were delivered to local schoolchildren, as the team from SHP Group shared fascinating, fun fruit facts with primary pupils to mark National Banana Day on Wednesday 15 April 2026.
The government recently announced its biggest shake-up to food in schools in England since 2015. Proposals to ensure children have healthier and more nutritious meals at school mean schools are keen to put fresh fruit on the menu.
SHP Group, a major UK banana importer and ripener, celebrated the national day with its latest community initiative as the long-established, independent, family run business delighted surprised schoolchildren with free fruity treats.
Classmates at Luton’s Leagrave Primary School and Tennyson Road Primary School went bananas for the healthy snacks and enjoyed an engaging, educational presentation by Marlena Chambers, SHP Group’s Senior Commercial Manager – Bananas.
Claire Sheehan, Leagrave Primary School Business Manager, said: “We would like to thank the entire team at SHP Group for inviting us to be part of their Banana Day celebrations. The children thoroughly enjoyed the visit and found the information fascinating – from learning about the growing process to seeing how bananas make their way onto supermarket shelves. The whole school was very grateful for the free bananas, which they happily enjoyed as a snack.”
Donna Galbraith, PA to CEO & Executive Head Teacher at Tennyson Road Primary School, said: “Tennyson Road Primary School were delighted to be invited to take part in the National Banana Day Campaign in conjunction with SHP Group. The children really enjoyed taking part in this fun promotion. Tennyson Road are committed to continuing to support healthy eating in school. Thank you also for all the free bananas!”
Tropical fruit specialists SHP Group make multiple donations to schools, clubs and groups throughout the year as part of its ongoing outreach in the communities where the business is based and beyond.
Marlena Chambers said: “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to visit the school, meet the pupils, and talk to them about bananas! It was rewarding to see children enjoying education and having fun. Bananas, being the most consumed fruit in the world, are an easy-to-peel and healthy snack and are great for lunchboxes.”
David Bateman, Group CEO at SHP Group, added: “We were thrilled to be able to donate hundreds of our bananas to so many schoolchildren in our communities.
“With the focus on ensuring more children enjoy healthy snacks at school, celebrating National Banana Day in this way provided the perfect opportunity for us to share the nutritious, high-quality, fresh fruit we provide daily UK-wide.”
For more information, visit the SHP Group website.
