The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) handed over its school feeding programme in Aragatsotn province to the Government of the Republic of Armenia. Since 2012, WFP has been implementing and managing a school feeding programme in the province, providing children with daily nutritious meals.
Aragatsotn is the sixth province where WFP has handed over its school feeding programme to the Government of the Republic of Armenia. The government has already been managing and implementing school feeding in five other provinces; Shirak, Syunik, Tavush, Vayots Dzor and Ararat.
The Government of Armenia considers school feeding essential elements of its investment in the future of young people and of its drive for zero hunger by 2030. In its focus on education as well as on improved health and nutrition, it is supported by WFP and other partners, particularly the Russian Federation.
In 2010, the Government of Armenia, WFP and their strategic partners collaborated to improve nutrition, education and social protection and build a nationally-owned, sustainable national school feeding programme. The programme now provides 100,000 children with daily nutritious meals across the country.
WFP also supports schools in establishing vegetable gardens and orchards to provide children with fresh fruit and vegetables for a more balanced diet. Moreover, the school feeding programme helps boost the economy through the purchase of fresh produce from local producers and small farmers.
In the next five years, WFP will use school feeding programme to help improve the food security and nutrition in Armenian by providing schools with greenhouses, solar panels and bakeries. WFP also plans to promote nutrition awareness through special workshops.
Original source: WFP
Published on 11 November 2019
