School meals in Brazil: inspiring blueprint for Armenia’s School Feeding Programme

The official trip began with a plenary session at the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), followed by a visit to the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger (CoE) in Brazil, which promotes best practices in school feeding globally.

One of the mission’s highlights was meeting with representatives of the Brazilian National Fund for the Development of Education (FNDE), the institution responsible for key aspects of the Programme such as menu planning, sourcing from local farmers, and securing federal funding.

Armenian delegates gained valuable insights into inter-agency collaboration, monitoring mechanisms, and strategies for ensuring sustainable funding for school feeding projects. At FNDE, they also learned about Brazil’s use of digital platforms to oversee the Programme implementation, streamline procurement, and manage food delivery logistics effectively.

Discussions with representatives of the Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA) focused on its role in the National School Feeding Programme, as well as Brazil’s initiatives to revitalize rural areas, promote organic farming, and support family agriculture.

At the Ministry of Environment, the delegation explored projects focused on resource conservation and the ministry’s contributions to school feeding-related initiatives.

Throughout a week of meetings, the delegation visited urban and rural schools, a family farm, and a local farmers’ association. They also observed the operations of community kitchens and participated in lectures, masterclasses, and discussions on various components of the Programme.

Established in 1955, the Brazilian National School Feeding Programme (PNAE) has evolved from a local initiative into a robust system serving nearly 50 million children from infancy to age 17. The Programme ensures food security and supports small-scale farmers. It operates at all levels of government, with funding provided by the state and coordinated through inter-agency collaboration. The National Fund for the Development of Education (FNDE) oversees the core budget and sets guidelines, while municipalities supplement federal resources by covering costs for building maintenance, meal preparation, staff salaries, and utilities like water and electricity.

A cornerstone of PNAE is the requirement to source 30% of ingredients from community farmers, supporting the local economy and providing schools with fresh produce.

“Multiple ministries have joined efforts to promote the Programme,” said Karina Silva dos Santos from FNDE. “Such an approach ensures its sustainability.”

Through PNAE, children receive nutritious meals while learning to appreciate locally grown foods. For the Armenian delegation, this experience was a key takeaway in designing a similar project focused on long-term impacts.

The delegation visited the Aspronte Small Farmers Association and a logistics center, where farmers deliver their produce to be distributed to schools based on weekly requests. The center is equipped with refrigeration and freezing facilities, which help reduce logistics costs and support the livelihoods of small-scale agricultural producers.

At one family farm, the delegation met with Mr. Abitsi, who shared how the Programme has enabled his farm to supply strawberries, beans, carrots, pumpkins, and beets to schools.

School menus in Brazil are created by professional nutritionists who consider children’s age-specific needs, cultural preferences, and the flavors of local cuisine. In some regions, traditional ingredients like açaí in the north or mango in the northeast are included. This emphasis on locally-grown produce and dishes not only strengthens a sense of cultural identity but also makes school meals more appealing and familiar to children. By integrating these elements, the Programme instills healthy eating habits rooted in local traditions.

PNAE also enforces strict nutritional guidelines to limit sugar, salt, and processed foods. Nutritionists ensure that children consume at least three servings of vegetables and fruits per week and restrict sweets to no more than two servings weekly. Soda and low-nutrition foods like chips and candy are entirely excluded from school menus.

One of the most inspiring discoveries was the involvement of local communities in managing the PNAE. In Brazilian schools, School Feeding Councils bring together parents, teachers, and students to oversee meal quality, provide feedback, and ensure transparency in Programme management. The Armenian delegation highlighted this approach as a valuable example of building trust and strengthening community involvement in school feeding initiatives.

The delegation also visited the Restaurante Popular social canteen in the Federal District. This initiative provides affordable meals for children and vulnerable populations. Residents can enjoy a meal for a symbolic fee, while socially disadvantaged groups, such as the homeless, receive meals free of charge.

For the Armenian guests, this model served as a comprehensive example of how to address food security issues. They noted that similar initiatives in Armenia could support vulnerable groups and enhance overall population well-being.

Brazil’s example demonstrated how school feeding initiatives can bridge social and economic priorities, laying a strong foundation for societal development.

Upon their return, the Armenian delegation plans to compile the insights gained to improve Armenia’s School Feeding Programme. Future plans by the Ministry include expanding the provision of school meals to higher grades, developing tailored models for schools in Yerevan, promoting transformative approaches to school feeding, and strengthening inter-ministerial collaboration.