The meeting addressed potential joint actions and strengthening cooperation in school feeding in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Paulo Beraldo
Brasília, Brazil, April 30, 2026 – Representatives of the Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES) and the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition held a meeting to discuss potential joint actions and strengthen cooperation on school feeding in Latin America and the Caribbean. The virtual meeting took place on April 29.
RAES is a trilateral South-South cooperation initiative promoted by the Government of Brazil, through the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC/MRE) and the National Fund for Educational Development (FNDE), in collaboration with member countries, with its Executive Secretariat led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The network currently includes 18 member countries: Belize, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, and Uruguay.
During the meeting, the document of the RAES Regional Agenda on school feeding was presented, including its objectives, principles, and priority thematic areas. The Regional Agenda, developed by the Network’s 18 member countries, was highlighted as a regional commitment aimed at consolidating and expanding progress in school feeding programmes. Its official launch is scheduled for June 18, during a dedicated virtual event.
According to Donald Bundy, Director of the Research Consortium and a leading global expert on school feeding, the initiative represents “a very positive signal for other regions of the world” and has strong potential to contribute to the advancement of school feeding programmes. He also emphasized that Latin America and the Caribbean is currently the most organized region in this field.
Next steps
Among the agreed next steps is the submission of a Declaration of Commitments with non-governmental entities, aimed at formalizing collaboration between RAES and the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition.
Participants also highlighted the importance of expanding academic engagement in RAES initiatives and strengthening ties with researchers, which was identified as a strategic opportunity to provide technical and scientific evidence to support school feeding programmes. The parties also noted the potential to develop new partnerships and projects involving governments, academic institutions, and international organizations.
The meeting brought together professionals from FAO, ABC, FNDE, and the Research Consortium. The next meeting between the parties is scheduled for June 3.