Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, November 26, 2025 – The Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES) participated this week in the Public Policy Forum for the Prevention of Overweight and Obesity in the Dominican Republic and held high-level meetings in the country with the aim of further strengthening the Dominican school feeding programme (SFP).
During the mission, representatives of RAES met with Adolfo Pérez, Executive Director of the National Institute for Student Welfare (INABIE), and the institution’s team, as well as with professionals from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the country and other local and international organizations.
INABIE’s Executive Director, Adolfo Pérez, stated that the institution is committed to adopting international best practices and leveraging the technical cooperation of FAO and Brazil to strengthen PAE processes. He emphasized that the goal is to continue incorporating innovations that ensure healthy, balanced diets tailored to the nutritional needs of students.
FAO Representative in the Dominican Republic, Rodrigo Castañeda, highlighted the strategic role of the school feeding programme: “There are many things that have been done very well in the Dominican Republic, and INABIE has made significant progress, but there is still a need to continue growing and to sustain what has already been achieved,” he said, reaffirming the organization’s willingness to continue supporting school feeding.
During the meetings, the international delegation acknowledged the historical progress of the SFP in improving menus, expanding coverage, and enhancing nutritional quality. It was also noted that the Dominican Republic ranks among the five regional reference countries in international school feeding standards, due to the programme’s continuous progress and its positive impact on student well-being.
The discussions reinforced that school feeding is a key public policy to ensure access to healthy foods aligned with dietary guidelines. The role of school feeding in promoting healthier eating habits among citizens was also addressed.
During the technical exchange, Brazilian specialists presented the pillars of Brazil’s National School Feeding Programme (PNAE), recognized globally for its public procurement model, integration with family farming, universal coverage, and comprehensive approach to food and nutrition education. The delegations analyzed cooperation mechanisms to adapt these experiences to the Dominican context, including technical training and Sustainable Schools methodology.
REALIMENTA
It was highlighted that the Dominican Republic has assumed the presidency of the Public Policy Network on Food Systems for Adequate Nutrition (REALIMENTA, in Spanish). This initiative was designed to strengthen governance and promote the implementation of evidence-based regulatory frameworks and policies to prevent malnutrition, with a focus on overweight and obesity. On this occasion, RAES also congratulated the Dominican Republic on its progress and commitment to transforming agrifood systems and expanding access to healthy diets.
The mission included the participation of Daniela Godoy, FAO Senior Food Security and Nutrition Officer; Najla Veloso, Executive Secretary of the Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES); Paola Barbieri, from the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC); Daniel Bandoni, from Brazil’s National Fund for Educational Development (FNDE); as well as Ignacia Soruco, Mariela Ortega, Wilmel Terrero, Edgar Reyes, Patricia Jiménez, and other international experts.
From INABIE, Executive Director Adolfo Pérez was accompanied by Deputy Directors Gilberto Santana, Luis Valdez, and Mercedes Pérez; the Director of Nutrition and Health, Luis Lizardo; the Head of Nutrition, Yomaira Tejeda; and Dr. Patricia Grullón from the Ministry of Public Health (MISPAS), along with technical staff and officials from the food and nutrition area.
The mission reaffirmed the commitment of INABIE, FAO, and RAES to continue advancing joint efforts to consolidate school feeding as an essential pillar for students’ health, learning, and holistic development.