KATHMANDU: The World Food Programme (WFP) Nepal and the Embassy of Finland in Kathmandu have observed how a home-grown school feeding initiative is strengthening local food systems and improving child nutrition during a joint visit to Surkhet under the Resilient Rural Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems (RERAS) project.
The initiative links women-led farmer cooperatives with schools, enabling farmers to supply locally produced food for school meals while strengthening local agricultural supply chains.
According to WFP Nepal, the approach is helping farmers improve access to agricultural inputs and markets, while providing students with nutritious meals that support their learning and well-being.
The joint visit also brought together school communities, local governments, cooperatives and development partners to discuss ways to make school feeding programmes more sustainable and locally driven.
Supported by the governments of Finland and Norway, with the involvement of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal, the RERAS project aims to build resilient food systems and improve nutrition outcomes for children and communities in the province.
