The Fruit Heroes project of the Portuguese Association Against Childhood Obesity (APCOI), 10 years after its launch in schools, arrives this month on the small screen with a Portuguese animation series with 26 episodes that portray the adventures of a group of super heroes who want to save the planet “with a bite”, traveling around the country looking for fruits and vegetables of national origin to gain superpowers.
The premiere is scheduled for World Food Day, which takes place on October 16, with broadcast on Canal Panda, RTP2, RTP Madeira, Porto Canal, Local Visão TV and Meo Kids. On this date, the solidarity book inspired by the series also hits stores. Download link for the teaser of the series: https://we.tl/t-YgRMCtSnBv
Mário Silva, president of APCOI and national coordinator of the Heróis da Fruta project, explains that “this series is an adaptation for cartoons of the Heróis da Fruta initiative that APCOI has been implementing in schools since 2011 to prevent childhood obesity, by encouraging daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, in the quantities recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and which has already improved the eating habits of 502.122 children”.
After conquering more than half a million students in schools in Portugal, the health education project, Heroes da Fruta, now arrives on the small screen with the special participation of actors Jessica Athayde and Diogo Amaral who give voice to the main characters of this series .
“I loved giving voice to the Sushi character in this APCOI project. It is essential that we train our children for good eating habits. I hope the Fruit Heroes help to awaken new habits in the homes of those who will listen to us.” says actress Jessica Athayde about her participation.
For actor Diogo Amaral “As a father, being able to give voice for the project Heróis da Fruta is something very special for me. I hope that this action by APCOI helps to sensitize many parents and children and that meals become more colorful.”
Over the 26 episodes, the Fruit Heroes will give their children a positive example and taste various fruit and vegetables of national origin: Kiwi from Portugal (16/Oct); Watermelon do Ladoeiro (17/Oct); Ribatejo grape (18/Oct); Pumpkin of Soza (19/Oct); Rogil's Peanut (Oct/20); Almancil Watercress (Oct 21); Pomegranate from Alentejo (22/Oct); Amora do Minho (23/Oct); Orange from the Algarve (24/Oct); Pineapple from the Azores (25/Oct); Olives from Elvas and Campo Maior (Oct 26); Cherry from Fundão (27/Oct); Red Onion from Montemor-o-Novo (Oct 28); Baby Carrot Alentejana (Oct/29); Aljezur Sweet Potatoes (30/Oct); Rocha do Oeste pear (31/Oct); Mirandela Strawberry (Nov 01); Sever do Vouga Blueberry (Nov 02); Peach from Cova da Beira (Nov 03); Fried beans from Lardosa (Nov/04); Alvalade do Sado Tomato (Nov/05); Portuguese Indian Fig (Nov/06); Meloa de Santa Maria (Nov/07); Banana da Madeira (Nov/08); Melão de Almeirim (Nov/09) and Apple of Alcobaça (10/Nov).
From October 16th to November 10th, every day, a new episode will be broadcast on all of the initiative's partner television channels: Canal Panda, RTP2, RTP Madeira, Porto Canal and Localvisão TV.
At MEO Kids, an area exclusively dedicated to Fruit Heroes will be available on the date of the premiere, in which the little ones will be able to see and review all the episodes, whenever they want, in position 53.
In addition, the episodes can also be heard daily on various local radio stations in various regions of the country: Rádio ZigZag, Mundial FM, Rádio Voz do Sorraia, Rádio Planície, Rádio Cartaxo, RUA FM, Rádio Dueça, Rádio Dom Fuas and Rádio Pico.
On this day, the first coloring book, inspired by the animated series, also arrives at Aldi supermarket stores across the country. This book has a symbolic price of 2,99 euros and reinforces the range of Heróis da Fruta solidarity products, which include mini-apples, mini-pears, mini-carrots and mini-waters, created in partnership between APCOI and the network of Aldi supermarkets and whose sale partially reverts to support this school project, having already allowed in recent years to take tons of fruit to thousands of students who do not take snacks from home.
“We are very proud to be part of this very important project. We started our partnership in 2018 with the sale of mini-apples and mini-pears and recently expanded our range of products designed for children with mini-carrots and mini-waters, always focusing on national products. We have been able to promote changes with a lasting impact on the eating habits of the little ones and contribute to fighting malnutrition among children, encouraging the daily consumption of healthy foods and, at the same time, promoting social inclusion of the most needy students”, said Elke Muranyi, Corporate Responsibility Director of ALDI Portugal.
“Producing this series in Portugal was only possible thanks to the talented animation team of the producer Up to the End of the World and the generous support of our national and regional partners, including associations of producers and local authorities, namely: Association of Apple Producers of Alcobaça, Portuguese Kiwi Growers Association, Algarve Citrus Growers Agricultural Cooperative, Cova da Beira Fruit Growers Agricultural Cooperative, Santa Maria Agricultural Association and Agromariensecoop, Portuguese Indian Fig Producers Association, Aljezur City Council, Montemor-o- City Council Novo, Almeirim City Council, Idanha-a-Nova City Council, Santiago do Cacém City Council, Boa Fruta Açores, Cerfundão, Dona Uva, Adoora, Mirtilusa, Luís Vicente Group, Vitacress, Novo Nordisk and Aldi”, concludes Mário Silva.
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