VIENTIANE – For the first time in Lao PDR, close to 1,000 primary school children will receive a healthy and balanced school lunch prepared from foods bought at their local market.  Their village schools are the first to participate in a new Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) project implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with the Government of Lao PDR. The pilot is generously supported by the Australian Government, who made funding available to conduct a baseline survey, support programme design and produce training materials.

During the past week, officials from the Lao Ministry of Education (MOE) have been trained on the principles of HGSF and healthy nutrition.  Activities will be piloted in nine villages across Phongsaly and Oudomxay provinces from March to May 2011.

WFP Media Release_English Language

WFP Media Release_Lao Language

In Lao PDR, about 157,000 pre-primary and primary school students children living in remote villages benefit from the WFP-assisted school meals programme. Photo Credit: WFP/Cornelia Paetz