Minister Charlesworth Samuel, Deputy Prime Minister Willmoth Daniel, Prime Minister Spencer, Minister Joanne Massiah and Education Minister Bertrand Joseph sample the meal

Students also sample the meal

Information Minister with members of the media

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda following their weekly session on Tuesday joined members of the government service and the media for lunch provided by the National School Meals Programme at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality and Training Institute.

The gathering, was the first to sample the menu of the School Meals Programme to be introduced in a number of schools across Antigua and Barbuda this coming September.

The School Meals Programme, a campaign initiative of the UPP Administration is spearheaded by Minister Joanne Massiah in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Marine Resources and Agro-Industry and is designed to ensure that no child is disadvantaged in the learning process due to nutritional deprivation.

The Programme will be introduced as a pilot project in nine primary schools with approximately 2500 students and teachers participating. It is envisioned that other schools will be incorporated each year until all qualifying schools are included in the programme.

Minister Massiah said that the various training sessions of personnel involved in the preparation, distribution and handling of the food is nearing completion and the nutritious meals are designed to bolster the nation's children's diets by providing at least one third of the recommended dietary allowance.

She noted that the programme is meant to also influence food choices by encouraging children to adopt healthy lifestyle patters which will lead to longer productive lives.

The programme also provides a reliable market for farmers and fisher-folks and mobilizes communities to claim ownership in the programme in the best interest of the nation's children. (Ends)

Digital Photos by Maurice F. Merchant