Enhancing School Feeding Programs in Belize: Training Sessions for Administrators and Cooks

The AMEXCID-FAO Mesoamerica Hunger-Free initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, has successfully completed two key training sessions to improve the National Healthy Start Feeding Program in Belize. The “Mesoamerica Hunger Free AMEXCID-FAO” program is a south-south triangular cooperation initiative jointly led by the Government of Mexico, through the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AMEXCID), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Acknowledging the essential role of cooks in providing healthy meals to students, a specialized training session was held for school kitchen staff in the Southern Districts. Over three days, 58 cooks from 23 schools in the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts participated in this training.

Led by Doris Sutherland, a nutrition education consultant, with support from Cathleen Juan, the school feeding coordinator, the training focused on enhancing the cooks’ knowledge of nutrition, food safety, and menu planning. The cooks learned how to prepare vegetable-rich recipes and child-friendly meals. Practical sessions allowed participants to apply these techniques, with a strong emphasis on food safety, including proper temperature monitoring using thermometers. Each participant received a digital thermometer to use in their school kitchens, ensuring they are equipped to implement these practices and improve student health and nutrition.

In a separate initiative, financial management training was provided for the school feeding program, with 111 participants from 67 schools nationwide.

Facilitated by FAO consultant Carlos Ek, with support from Cathleen Juan, this training aimed to equip principals and administrators with the skills necessary to manage, monitor, and report on school feeding funds effectively. Participants were introduced to basic accounting principles, voucher systems, and a new financial reporting template to be used by schools and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology for monitoring and data collection.

The course also highlighted the importance of creating healthy school environments and demonstrated how proper financial management can sustain school feeding programs. Participants left the training with a better understanding of how to use funds efficiently to support students’ nutritional needs, thereby enhancing the program’s impact on student health and educational outcomes.