The latest publication by the Brazil-FAO International Cooperation on school feeding highlights advancements in legal frameworks, menu quality, and social participation to strengthen sustainable policies in 16 Latin American countries. See the publication in the link below.
Paulo Beraldo and Palova Brito
Brasília, Brazil – June 9, 2025 – A study developed under the Brazil-FAO International Cooperation Programme on school feeding in 2024 presents a broad and updated overview of the development of school feeding programmes in 16 Latin American countries: the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The publication “Progress in school feeding in 16 Latin American countries” compiles the achievements based on components considered essential for strengthening school feeding, such as financing, menu quality, number of students reached, food and nutrition education activities, legal frameworks, social participation, among others. The study is only available in Spanish.
To develop this publication, qualitative methodological tools were used, particularly interviews with key stakeholders and focus groups composed of government technicians from the 16 countries, in addition to the review of secondary sources and official documents.
The publication is part of the actions of the project Regional Agenda for Sustainable School Feeding in Latin America and the Caribbean, a cooperation initiative developed jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the National Fund for Educational Development (FNDE), and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), aiming to strengthen school feeding policies across the region.
Country progress
Among the highlighted achievements, six countries — Brazil, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, and Paraguay — have passed specific laws on school feeding with the support of the Brazil-FAO International Cooperation and various other FAO projects and sectors. These laws strengthen programme sustainability, expand student coverage, and ensure financial investments.
Another significant outcome is the creation of interinstitutional and intersectoral coordination spaces in 11 countries, enabling the integration of school feeding into the agendas of various ministries. Likewise, 10 countries have established key partnerships that optimize the implementation of school feeding programmes from operational, financial, and technical perspectives.
The study also notes increased participation of diverse stakeholders through mechanisms such as procurement committees, school feeding committees, and parent organizations. Currently, 14 countries in the region have structured mechanisms for social participation. Regarding food quality, 15 countries develop their menus with the support of nutrition professionals, and 10 countries include fruits and vegetables in school meals.
“This research is a contribution from the Brazil-FAO International Cooperation Programme, FAO country offices, and the Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES) to strengthen the exchange of experiences and innovations among countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study offers strategic inputs for the development and improvement of school feeding public policies, connecting topics such as food security, education, health, nutrition, climate, and rural development,” said Najla Veloso, Senior School Feeding Specialist at FAO and Executive Secretary of RAES.
Challenges and the role of international cooperation
Despite significant progress, challenges remain to ensure that all students in the region receive meals consistently on all school days. The most frequently mentioned challenges include universalizing student coverage, increasing public procurement from family farming, strengthening the technical capacities of stakeholders, and improving infrastructure dedicated to school feeding.
These challenges reinforce the importance of international cooperation in consolidating sustainable school feeding policies and ensuring their funding for expansion throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Link of the study (available in Spanish):
