© WFP
From February 6 to 9, WFP and the Congolese Ministry of Education conducted a field mission in four schools in Gamboma, Republic of Congo, to monitor the use of locally grown foods in school feeding.
WFP technicians from the school feeding and “Seeds for Tomorrow” project discussed the planned menu with representatives from the Congolese Ministry for Education, schools and four agricultural cooperatives in the region.
Together with the school principals, the team analyzed the management of school canteens and the food delivery process, as well as the challenges of purchasing from small producers, menu adaptation, and food storage. Additionally, they verified whether the agricultural cooperatives have sufficient production to supply the schools.
School Management Committees (COGES) were formed, consisting of parents and school representatives, who will receive training in canteen management. In the Republic of Congo, the mothers of students serve as volunteer cooks, taking turns throughout the week to prepare meals for the children. Moreover, student attendance records and forms for periodic reporting were made available.
For next steps, the project aims to closely monitor the implementation of new guidelines, collect data from schools and small producers, and bring together stakeholders in workshops to create and implement new ideas for homegrown school feeding.
About the Project
The project Enhancing Family Farmers’ Access to Local Markets in the Republic of Congo through South-South Cooperation” is an initiative of the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil and WFP Republic of Congo Country Office in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Congo, the Government of Brazil, and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). Launched in June 2023, the project is funded by the IBSA Fund (India, Brazil, and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation) .
The initiative aims to empower the Congolese Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (MAEP) and the Ministry of Preschool, Primary, Secondary Education, and Literacy (MEPPSA) to utilize knowledge and innovations from Brazil and other IBSA partners in family farming and school feeding programs.
The project is being implemented over two years in the departments of Bouenza, Plateaux, and Pool, involving institutional strengthening of relevant ministries, training for family farming cooperatives, and support for schools.