School feeding programme to be expanded

Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke says the government is moving to expand the school feeding programme to increase the nutritional intake of students while at the same time promoting the use of local foods and fruits.

According to Clarke his ministry is working with the Education Ministry to roll out a $40-million pilot project to provide breakfasts of locally-produced foods for a number of schools.

Additionally, he said the agriculture ministry is to embark on a programme to give money to some farmers and community-based groups to provide meals to schools in specific areas.

Clarke said $15 million will be provided to support to these farmers and community-based groups.

He also noted that the school feeding programme which provides juices made from local fruits will be expanded to some 136,000 students from the current 34,000.

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