Implementing the School Feeding Development Programme to ensure that healthy, nutritious meals are accessible to schoolchildren across the country.

Partnership between SIFI and the UN World Food Programme

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) launched its school feeding initiative in Tajikistan in 1999 as a humanitarian effort to help vulnerable populations combat hunger.

In 2013, the initiative evolved into a development project, with SIFI joining the implementation process. Beyond providing food supplies to schools, the focus shifted to restoring a comprehensive school feeding system in the country.

Our Objectives

Supporting Tajikistan’s government: assisting in the implementation of the National School Feeding Programme, including the development of strategic and planning documents.

Improving school canteen infrastructure: upgrading facilities to ensure the quality and safety of children’s meals.

Establishing legal frameworks: introducing regulatory systems for streamlined and effective management.

Balanced nutrition: developing and implementing school meal plans that meet modern nutrition and child health standards.

Capacity building: training school staff and local authorities involved in organizing school meals.

Raising awareness: educating the population about the importance of school meals and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Sustainable food supply mechanisms: creating systems to provide schools with ingredients and finished products, prioritizing local production.

Focus Areas

At the district level, we develop and implement pilot projects to upgrade school canteen infrastructure. This involves audits, proposals for renovations, and equipping kitchens with modern appliances.

We establish and test reliable systems for delivering fresh food products and ingredients, including school bakeries, logistics hubs, and local production facilities. Long with supporting local farmers we issue guidelines for creating school farms.

School canteen infrastructure development

Ensuring food security and logistics

We conducted a comprehensive assessment of school meals nationwide, which later formed the basis for key strategic and planning documents, including a concept note, strategy, and State School Feeding Development Programme.

Variety and nutritional value of school menus

We introduce diverse menus and recipes using locally produced ingredients to fortify the nutritional value of school meals.

Educational initiatives and popularization of school meals

We engage children through interactive extracurricular activities and lessons based on custom-designed materials. Additionally, we produce video content and TV shows to promote healthy lifestyles. Seminars and masterclasses for parents feature chefs and nutritionists.

Development of strategic and planning documentation

We actively support the Interdepartmental Coordination Council on School Feeding by developing essential legal frameworks for effective system management

Organinzation of staff training

We have created and delivered training programs for school cooks and headmasters to improve the organization and management of school meals.

Events

In 2014, the Interdepartmental Coordination Council on School Feeding was established under the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.

In 2015, the Concept Note for Improving School Feeding was officially approved.

In 2016, the first Action Plan for pilot projects was launched, resulting in the renovation of 8 schools and the creation of 2 school bakeries.

In 2017, the Strategy for Sustainable Development of School Feeding through 2027 was adopted.

Between 2017 and 2018, the second Action Plan was successfully completed, with 50 schools renovated, 5 bakeries established, and a central school canteen created.

In 2019, 3 regional and 29 district-level School Feeding Coordination Councils were formed.

In 2022, the National School Feeding Development Program for 2022–2027 was approved.

From 2023 to 2024, the third Action Plan was executed, upgrading 50 more schools, constructing new canteens in 5 schools, and establishing 8 bakeries through public-private partnerships.

Two editions of the School Meals Recipe Book were published, one of which won the Food Safety nomination and a Special Jury Prize at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

In 2023, the National School Feeding Center was established under the Ministry of Education and Science.

Since 2022, the annual Best School Cook competition has been held, with biannual newsletters providing updates on the project progress.

Public events such as healthy eating weeks, festivals, and celebrations to mark International School Meals Day and World Food Day are organized.

Informative and educational materials, including board games and workbooks for children and guidelines for parents and school staff are developed.

Through media outreach, engaging TV programs and video content to introduce children and parents to healthy living principles and the school feeding initiatives are produced.

Achivements

≈450,000 students from 2,000 schools enjoy a hot school lunch every day

116 schools have been renovated and provided with modern equipment

9 schools operate their own school-based farms.

13,000 loaves of bread per day are baked for students from 338 schools.

USD 1 million has been allocated by the government of the Republic of Tajikistan to implement the National School Feeding Programme.

≈3,000 children and adults participate annually in healthy eating initiatives

8 district bakeries have been established through public-private partnerships

7 bakeries have been built on school premises

Continue improving the infrastructure of school canteens

Contribute to combating climate change by introducing resource-efficient technologies

Develop school feeding models for large cities with active participation from communities, government, and private sector partners

Implement pilot projects for creating a production and logistics cluster that integrates local agricultural processing facilities, the production of semi-finished and ready-to-eat meals for school feeding, bakeries, storage options, and logistics services

Launch pilot projects to involve local producers in the school feeding initiatives using the farm-to-fork approach.

Expand school production capacities so that schools can independently supply themselves with fresh produce