This Policy on School Feeding 2024-2035 is a strategic national framework designed to enhance human capital in Cambodia. It integrates education, health, and social protection to ensure that students, particularly those in vulnerable areas, have consistent access to nutritious meals. The long-term vision is to foster a healthy, productive generation capable of contributing to the country’s goal of becoming a high-middle-income nation by 2030 and high-income by 2050. To achieve these goals, the Policy outlines six key strategies focusing on legal frameworks, food security, and community awareness. It emphasizes the "Home-Grown School Feeding" model, which sources food directly from local farmers. This approach not only improves student nutrition and school retention rates but also stimulates the local economy by creating stable markets for smallholder agricultural producers. At the operational level, the Policy details specific implementation mechanisms, including the establishment of institutional committees and rigorous monitoring systems. It defines standards for "healthy food" and "food safety" to prevent malnutrition and foodborne illnesses. By 2035, the government aims to transition the program from development partner support to a fully state-managed system integrated into the national budget.
Cambodia · 2024-09-01