WFP National School Feeding Programme constitutes a major safety net in Jordan

Since 1975, the National School Feeding Programme constitutes a major safety net in Jordan. The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have been key partners in ensuring its success.

MoE and WFP have recently adopted a new school feeding model: the healthy school meal, consisting of locally sourced pastry, a fruit and vegetable. The meals are distributed daily to 90,000 students from kindergarten to sixth grade in more than 300 schools within 6 governorates. This is in addition to 410,000 students receiving fortified date bars on daily basis.

The healthy school meal model has a strong impact on the local economy as the whole supply chain is localized. The pastries are prepared in local bakeries, while fruits and vegetables are produced by 300 local smallholder farmers. Newly adopted blockchain technology allows full traceability of production, yielding superior and safer fruit and vegetable options for children. Meal ingredients are sorted and organized in healthy kitchens established within community-based organizations where 300 women from local communities are formally employed to pack the meals and send them to schools. All kitchen workers are trained in food handling, safety and hygiene, and they are covered under the social security umbrella.

Within the framework of the National School Feeding Strategy (2021-2025), the National School Feeding Programme is an increasingly important national safety net programme for both Jordanian and refugee children from vulnerable families. It contributes to multiple social, educational, and economic benefits for the children, local communities, and the broader economy. In addition to addressing short-term food needs, lack of dietary diversity and poor food consumption patterns amongst children, the programme generates income for vulnerable women and supports Jordanian food producers and suppliers.