Panama City, Panama, September 27, 2023 – Cooks, nutritionists, and educators from school feeding programmes across 10 Latin American countries gathered in Panama from September 25th to 27th to exchange best practices in food and nutritional education (FNE) implemented in the region.

The event was organized by the project “Consolidation of School Feeding Programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean,” jointly executed by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), the National Fund for Educational Development (FNDE), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). These institutions also drive the Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES).

Representatives from Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela participated. The event had the presence of Brazilian cooks and nutritionists who had taken part in the television programme “Merendeiras do Brasil,” created by FNDE to highlight the role of cooks in implementing this public policy that provides meals to over 40 million students. Two cooks and five nutritionists from the cities of Capitão Leônidas Marques-PR, Lucena-PB, Itati-RS, Mogi das Cruzes-SP, and Maravilha-SC traveled to Panama.

Gilnei Costa, Director of Educational Actions at FNDE, praised the role of nutritionists and cooks in “stimulating the debate on FNE actions in the school environment” and stated that these professionals play a crucial role in the quality of the food provided. Therefore, they should be trained to become food educators and encourage their colleagues. “For the National School Feeding Programme (PNAE) of Brazil to work effectively, everyone needs to recognize this work. That’s what we are doing today because cooks are also part of the educational process.”

Gustavo Guimarães, representing the Embassy of Brazil in Panama and on behalf of ABC, thanked the participating institutions for over 14 years of joint work to strengthen school feeding in the region. He highlighted how the exchange of experiences had yielded significant results for the region, strengthening the institutionalization and sustainability of the school feeding policy.

Israel Ríos, nutrition officer at FAO, presented data on malnutrition in the region and emphasized the potential of school feeding programmes. He mentioned the role of cooks in promoting locally sourced products from family farmers and preparing recipes adapted to local culture. “Furthermore, there is great potential for integrating FNE by promoting knowledge-enhancing activities.”

Cooks and nutritionists shared their excitement about participating in an award that gave them visibility and recognition in Brazil and the region. Fifteen cooks participated in the competition, with five winners, accompanied by five contributing nutritionists. “Taking part in the reality show and this exchange trip values our work done with dedication, seriousness, and commitment. It is important to value and recognize nutritionists and cooks who prepare daily meals for our children with all their love and care,” commented nutritionist Christiane Tremea from Maravilha-SC.

Geralda Silvano from Mogi das Cruzes-SP had dreamed of becoming a cook since childhood when she worked in agriculture. Emotionally, she expressed that it was an honor to participate in an international event. “It’s very touching to know that your municipality is on the right path. I love what I do, and there is nothing better than cooking healthy food that makes a difference in our children’s lives.”

Cook Alaia Silveira from Maravilha-SC emphasized that for many students, the school provides their first meal of the day, and this policy helps combat hunger. “Many arrive with an empty stomach, and are excited at mealtime. I’m very happy to be part of school feeding because you can’t learn on an empty stomach.”

Experiences in food and nutritional education in the region

Three FNE experiences led by educators were highlighted at the event. Professor Esmeralda Ruiz from El Salvador shared how it all started with her participation in a training programme supported by the Brazil-FAO Cooperation in school feeding. From there, the idea of implementing FNE initiatives in her school in the interior of the country emerged.

She gained the support of the school administration and began organizing initiatives that are becoming more structured, even as part of the curriculum. These actions include parades, fairs, educational activities, dialogues with farmers and the local community, including parents of the students. “All with the perspective that every student has the right to receive quality education and nutrition as part of their well-being and health.”

A similar story was shared by educator Manuel de Jesús from Nicaragua, who is completing a professional development programme in the country in 2023 with the support of Brazilian cooperation and the local government. He emphasized the role of the school garden in his school, using it in a participatory and dynamic methodology to make students feel like active participants in the actions. “We can integrate it into different subjects; it’s a living classroom. We also offer talks to parents about the importance of good nutrition at home. This way, we gain the commitment of students and their families.” He also explained how they are introducing products like tilapia into school meals.

Peru presented the experience of teacher Nolberto Castañeda, from the Asháninka indigenous community, who shared his experience after participating in training supported by Brazilian cooperation. He demonstrated improvements in his sustainable school with a “before and after” comparison and stated that he is implementing FNE actions involving families, including a 500-square-meter school garden where regional foods are grown. “Teachers have the role of sharing knowledge and taking the first steps in these actions, motivating students and the community to progress.”

Training

In addition to educators’ experiences, professionals from Paraguay, El Salvador, and Peru highlighted the importance of local professionals’ training to strengthen the school feeding policy.

Alcira Quintana from FAO in Paraguay explained that the courses and training offered have improved professionals’ skills, creating spaces for exchange and reflection and producing tangible improvements in the programme over the years. She spoke about the most recent training of this kind, supported by Brazil-FAO Cooperation, which reached 100 education system managers.

Karla Vela, a nutritionist from El Salvador, presented methodologies developed in her country to train various professionals, including teachers, managers, students, parents, and the entire educational community. She introduced a comprehensive course covering health, education, nutrition, and agriculture, with online classes offered in all 14 departments of the country. “The result is strengthened knowledge to apply in the teaching process and in the implementation of school feeding.”

Justo Pozo, Deputy Minister of Social Benefits in Peru, discussed an online course supported by Brazilian cooperation that reached 1,355 school feeding professionals in the country. He emphasized that it is an initiative with an impact on communities and that the country intends to continue working together on such actions.

Najla Veloso, coordinator of the regional school feeding project of the Brazil-FAO Cooperation, pointed out that countries have demonstrated that institutionalizing FNE in school feeding programmes is a path to strengthening them. She also mentioned that the Cooperation has established a reference for dialogue in the region with the Sustainable Schools methodology, which is already present in 13 countries. 

“It’s important for countries to organize policies and implement concrete sustainable school feeding practices. FNE is essential to strengthen the school feeding policy. It has been and will continue to be a priority in the coming years. We congratulate the countries on their commitment to further strengthening these actions.”