The seminar brought together all parties of the project: members of the Arpi Community Development and Investment Fund, local entrepreneurs (farmers), headmasters of local schools, representatives of the marzpetaran responsible for the implementation of the National School Feeding Programme.
The main goal of the event is to explain to each project participant their role, functions and responsibilities, as well as to coordinate joint work on improvement of school meals quality and sustainability.
The Lake Arpi community has become a pilot site for testing various mechanisms to increase the sustainability of the National School Feeding Programme based on economic and geographic opportunities.
Pilot schools
Solar stations are being installed in five schools in the villages of Agvorik, Ardenis, Garnarich, Zorokert, Tsakhkut. They will generate electricity to prepare hot meals. Greenhouses are additionally installed in two schools (Garnarich and Tsakhkut). This will make it possible to grow natural vegetables and herbs for school meals, and sell the surplus to the local population.
Non pilot schools
It is not planned to install any equipment in four schools in the villages of Alvar, Berdashen, Zarishat and Shagik, but they, along with the pilot schools, will receive co-financing for the development of school meals from business (farmers) participating in the Project.
Local business
The project is installing solar stations at four sites: dairy workshops in the villages of Ardenis, Berdashen and Tsakhkut, as well as a farm in the village of Garnarich. Local businesses will transfer part of the cost of the generated electricity to the development of the School Feeding Programme.
The project "Development of school feeding in the Arpi community" is aimed to ensure the sustainability of the National School Feeding Programme and create additional sources of funding:
1. Development of "green energy" and the use of its economic
effect for the development of school meals.
2. Helping schools grow agricultural products in
school grounds and, as a consequence, in increasing the variety and nutritional value of school diets.
3. Increasing the share of local farmers' products in the "school plate" and establishment of optimal supply logistics. Missing in the diet
the animal proteins, iron and calcium amount revealed in rations of schoolchildren in Garnarich and Tsakhkut, can be compensated by adding 1 - 2 times a week dishes with local meat, eggs and dairy products.
4. Involvement of local communities and businesses in co-financing the National School Feeding Programme through public-private cooperation.