DAKAR/Senegal: A diverse assembly of technical experts, including government officials, policymakers, donor representatives, and researchers hailing from West Africa and beyond, convened today in Dakar, Senegal, to initiate a crucial meeting aimed at sharing knowledge and best practices concerning the implementation of school meals programs utilizing locally-sourced food.
Under the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), this two-day high-level conference carries the theme, “Investing in Homegrown School Meals to Strengthen Human Capital, Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Contribute to Economic Development.” The event provides a distinctive platform for participants to assess the progress and illuminate the impact of school meals programs on economic growth, fortifying food systems, and women’s empowerment across countries.
During the conference’s opening ceremony, Professor Fatou Sow-Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner, underscored the pivotal role played by benchmarks in health, nutrition, and education in contributing to economic growth within the sub-region. She emphasized the proven benefits of introducing school meals programs grounded in local production, which encompass poverty reduction, increased school enrollment, income generation, enhanced value for local products, and the promotion of community cohesion, stability, and productivity.
Professor Fatou Sow-Sarr urged all Member States to adopt a school meals model that ensures children access safe, diverse, and nutritious food sourced locally. She articulated how school canteens can bolster local food systems, fostering stable markets, stimulating local agriculture, and enhancing agricultural production.
Upon conclusion of the conference, technical experts are anticipated to formulate strategic plans intended to galvanize political support within national governments for the adoption of school meals policies while securing financial investments to expand the program’s reach.
Margot van der Velden, WFP’s Regional Director ad interim for Western Africa, expressed optimism about West Africa’s potential to attain universal school meals coverage through increased investments in homegrown school meals. She reaffirmed the commitment of the World Food Programme (WFP) to collaborate with all partners in ensuring children’s access to education and nutritious food, essential for their growth and prosperity.
Despite Western Africa grappling with multiple challenges arising from conflict, climate shocks, a slow economic recovery from COVID-19, and the global crisis in Ukraine, ECOWAS Member States presently feed the largest number of school-aged children in Africa. This significant figure has risen from 20 million children in 2020 to 22.4 million in 2022, according to The 2022 State of School Feeding Worldwide report.
Remarkably, 85 percent of school meals programs in ECOWAS countries are funded by domestic budgets. These programs have generated over 200,000 direct jobs in 11 ECOWAS countries, predominantly for women serving as cooks, food packers, quality control agents, processors, and transporters. This reiterates the pivotal role of locally procured school meals in reinforcing local food systems, fostering stable markets, and elevating local agriculture and sustainable supply chains.
“Homegrown school meals are more than just a meal,” declared Margot van der Velden. “They are a gateway to a better, healthier, and more prosperous future, serving as a platform that nourishes the next generation, generates jobs, sparks economic growth, and facilitates long-term development for entire nations.”
Throughout this regional school meals conference, participants will delve into the latest regional research and evidence, explore the scale, coverage, and trends in school meals within the region, and spotlight national approaches, experiences, and best practices in homegrown school meals programs. The event aims to identify country-level challenges and opportunities for scaling up these vital programs.
