Local farmers in northeastern Haiti boost nutrition and economy by donating food to school canteens

FORT-LIBERTE—Daloune Saint-Hilaire, a small farmer living in the northeastern region of Haiti, starts early in the morning before sunrise. After dawn, he goes to the fields he has tended for years, planting beans, okra, maize, bananas and cassava to support his family and community. On his family farm in Haut Bino which is part of the community in Plaine Maribaroux, each season comes with challenges and hopes – in line with the old equipment he uses and the traditional farming methods he practices. depending on it.

For years, farmers like Daloune have faced daunting obstacles to selling their produce in local markets, as increasing gang violence in Haiti has restricted travel and disrupted trade. However, with the recent initiative of the World Food Program (WFP) to buy local produce directly from farmers, however, a new opportunity has arisen.

“We work hard in these fields, but it is difficult to sell in local markets,” says Saint-Hilaire, his eyes bright with cautious optimism. “Now, with the WFP program, we can sell faster and focus on growing.”

A lifestyle for farmers and schools alike

WFP, the world leader in food security, has established a program in Haiti to buy about 9,990 tons of local produce. This effort not only supports struggling farmers but also provides school meals to about 15,000 students in 200 schools in the North East department. Through this project, WFP aims to increase the income of farmers like Daloune and improve the nutritional quality of school meals.

“This decision is a victory for farmers and students,” explained Paul Ilfrene, WFP’s North East program representative. “Buying food locally empowers our farmers while enabling children to eat nutritious, fresh food.”

“As a farmer, I am proud to see our produce being used to feed children in our village. This gives us hope to continue farming”

Rosenie Charles, farmer and produce trader.

Funded by the USDA, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the WFP, and supported by the Haitian Ministry of Education, the project promises a reliable market for small farmers and reduces the financial burden of transporting goods. imported from other countries for school canteens, is often hindered by security problems. It also reduces dependence on imports. Schools in three sectors—North, Center, and Northeast—participate in this program. This initiative is part of a wider expansion of school meals across the three sectors, with 159 schools in the north, 192 in the Center, and about 200 schools of the 665 schools in the North-East sector are committed to you benefit from this program.

Fresh, Local, and nutritious food for growing minds

At the launch event at the Ouanaminthe Universe College auditorium, on Oct.18, students wearing school uniforms—from pink checks to navy blue—gathered to see the locally grown produce that they will they get on their plates. Bananas, papayas and leafy greens, as well as common crops such as cassava and yams, were displayed to show what will soon be filling their school lunches. Meals are balanced and designed to meet the nutritional needs of children, incorporating local flavors into traditional recipes.

“As a farmer, I am proud to see our products being used to feed children in my area,” said Rosenie Charles, a farmer and produce trader, who expressed her pride in participating in the program. This gives us hope to continue farming,” said Charles.

“When hunger and malnutrition affect our children, it affects their entire development,” said Luma Demetrius, Mayor of Ouanaminthe. “The bad test results we’ve seen are proof of that.”

Reliance on imports for school canteens has long caused nutritional problems for students, with diets often focused on rice, maize and wheat, and lacking in fruit, vegetables and protein. But under the new program, schools in the northeast will now receive bananas, spinach, rice, cassava, carrots, peppers, cabbage, and more. This change means balanced, culturally relevant meals for students.

“The products that are given to schools are sometimes very poor in quality; we should throw them fish instead of giving them to the children,” Démetrius said. “When the rice is cooked, the children will not eat it because it is so bad. We need fresh, nutritious food for them.”

For many school children in this country, school meals may be the only opportunity to eat a warm, nutritious meal that day. The lack of feeding programs has only increased in remote areas where poverty is widespread and infrastructure is weak. Officials believe the move could help fight hunger and absenteeism, encouraging families to send children to school.

Charles Henry Juste, a cabinet member of the Ministry of Education, said: “School meals are an investment for our children, in the future of Haiti.

Education Director Edgard Joseph Dumay said that the schools enrolled in the program work under different models: most will use the old system, around 20 will implement a hybrid model, and a few those selected will rely only on local products.

Transforming the local economy while empowering farmers

The impact of the program goes beyond the children’s lunches. For local farmers, this program has proven to be transformative. WFP’s commitment to buy from the Movement for the Orientation of Agricultural Producers in Haut Maribarou in Ouanaminthhe, allows small farmers to sell their crops at good prices, giving them a stable market and improving their income. Before this, farmers often struggled to compete with the flow of cheap, imported goods from the Dominican Republic.

“Finally farmers can rely on stable income,” said Altheus Louis, coordinator of the Movement. “This enables them to plan their finances better and invest in their jobs.”

Through this program, WFP will purchase approximately 17.5 billion dollars worth of produce from local farmers, providing a much-needed boost to Haiti’s agricultural sector. For the first time, these farmers have a reliable source of income and support to improve their production methods. Many plan to invest in organic fertilizers, high-quality seeds and modern gardening tools to combine and increase their production.

I used to spend a lot of money on transport just to sell my goods. Now, I don’t have to visit Saint-Raphaël, said Charles, who is also a product trader involved in the launch of the program. I will encourage other developers to join this effort. ”

For farmers who previously had to accept rock-bottom prices or endure long journeys to urban markets, this guaranteed supply contract offers a new level of financial security. By committing to buy local products, WFP ensures a stable market for Haitian farmers, who are now in a good position to compete despite the presence of low Dominican prices.

Building a more sustainable future

With more local produce being distributed, schools, farmers and the local economy will all benefit. This program allows farmers to reinvest in their businesses, strengthens food security for Haitians, and promotes school attendance by providing students with nutritious meals. In many cases, schools without canteens experience low attendance and retention rates, as hungry children struggle to concentrate or have to stay home to help their families with food needs. .

Under the new WFP initiative, farmers are preparing to sign up for the program, improving farming practices along the way. Together, they are helping to meet the immediate needs of their community while laying the groundwork for a sustainable agricultural future in Haiti.

“Now we have a stable market, even if there is competition from the Dominican Republic, farmers can sell their harvest,” said Louis.

Farmers in Maribaroux, encouraged by the success of the WFP program, are increasingly organizing themselves to adopt better practices and provide more schools. The broad economic impact of the program means that families can keep more of their savings in the community, boosting local development while enhancing food security.

“School meals are a social equity strategy that ensures all children can focus on learning,” said Juste.

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