School Feeding to cut sugar, provide local dishes

This was announced yesterday as Education Minister Anthony Garcia delivered letters of appointment to the new National Schools Dietary Services Ltd (NSDSL) at Education Towers, Port-of-Spain.

He said children must have healthy bodies and the new board will ensure their nutritional needs are met.

He reported that there have been outcries from sectors criticising programme and some making the bold claim that it had been discontinued which he said was “totally and completely false”. He said that there was no budgetary cut in the programme although there was a reduction in the allocation.

“Our children continue to be fed in our schools, those who are in need of some additional sustenance,” he said.

He reported that daily 58,226 children benefit from the breakfast meals and 88,348 students from lunch. Garcia said Cabinet, with the urging of the Health Ministry, took a decision to ensure a lessening of the sugar content.

He pointed out that from international studies and local dieticians, there have been advisories about excessive sugars leading to conditions like obesity and diabetes.

NSDSL CEO, Stacy Barran in her remarks said they have been looking at their juices and are working with their companies, including SM Jaleel, to reduce it. They currently serve 30 percent juice and have been mandated by the Health Ministry to serve 100 percent juice which would raise the cost.