News brief:
– The EU allocated over €220 million to support its school feeding program to promote healthy eating, agricultural education, and sustainability.
– Nigeria can benefit from a similar program by increasing agricultural demand, promoting healthy habits, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable food production.
The European Commission has earmarked approximately €221 million to promote healthy feeding among schoolchildren for the 2024/2025 school year. Fruits, vegetables, drinking milk, and milk products are some of the food items to be prioritised.
This scheme aims to reconnect children with agriculture through educational activities while providing nutritious products. These activities include tasting classes, cooking workshops, and the establishment of school gardens.
According to the report, 139,000 educational institutions across all 27 Member States of the bloc benefited from the scheme. It reached 18 million children ranging from nursery schools to secondary schools.
There is also an emphasis on promoting organic food, with 2.7% of the distributed 60,000 tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables produced without the use of chemicals. Additionally, out of the 100 million liters of drinking milk, 5.4% was organic.
The countries contributed €130 million to support the initiative. There is hope that schoolchildren will develop healthy eating habits and understand the impact of nutrition on public health. The institutions are also educating children on sustainable food production and food waste reduction.
One major result of this program is that children take the knowledge gained home and advocate for similar practices to be adopted in their homes.
The EU school feeding program has been in effect since August 2017 and was established by combining two former feeding schemes.
Countries participating in the project are mandated to create six-year strategies with specific goals to increase fruit and vegetable consumption to meet the recommended five portions per day. They will also outline products to be distributed and educational activities they plan to integrate with the initiative.
This program provides a template for other economies seeking to promote food security, healthy eating habits, and agriculture among children.
Nigeria can gain significant benefits from implementing a feeding scheme similar to the EU’s, particularly in terms of agricultural development and food security. Here are some key areas where Nigeria can benefit:
1. Increased Demand for Agricultural Products:
- Diversification: A feeding scheme that prioritises fruits, vegetables, milk, and milk products would create a consistent demand for a variety of agricultural produce, encouraging farmers to diversify their crops and livestock.
- Local Sourcing: Prioritising locally sourced ingredients would stimulate domestic agriculture economy and reduce dependence on imports.
2. Promotion of Healthy Eating Habits:
- Nutritional Education: Educational components of the scheme can help children develop healthier eating habits, which can lead to increased demand for nutritious foods.
- Reduced Malnutrition: Providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren can help address malnutrition, a significant health issue in Nigeria.
3. Job Creation and Economic Growth:
- Agricultural Value Chain: A thriving agricultural sector can create jobs in various stages of the value chain, from farming to processing, distribution, and retail.
- Rural Development: Increased agricultural activity can contribute to the economic development of rural areas, reducing poverty and inequality.
4. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security:
- Organic Farming: Promoting organic agriculture can help reduce the use of harmful chemicals, protect the environment, and improve soil health.
- Food Security: A strong agricultural sector can enhance food security by ensuring a steady supply of locally produced food.
5. Educational Opportunities:
- Agricultural Education: The scheme can integrate agricultural education into the curriculum, exposing children to the importance of agriculture and encouraging them to consider careers in the sector.
- School Gardens: Establishing school gardens can provide hands-on experience in agriculture, fostering a connection to the land and promoting environmental awareness.
By implementing a similar feeding scheme, Nigeria can not only improve the health and nutrition of its children but also stimulate agricultural growth, create jobs, and promote sustainable food production.
In addition, with the recent economic hardship that is forcing schools and parents to delay resumption, a feeding scheme can encourage return to classrooms.
