[School feeding programmes in Latin America. An analysis]

Area of Science:

• Public Health Nutrition
• Educational Policy
• Social Welfare Programs

Context:

• Latin American governments allocate significant resources to school feeding programs.
• These programs are integral to educational and social strategies targeting vulnerable populations.

Purpose:

• Analyze beneficiary selection criteria, food distribution, and management structures of school feeding programs.
• Examine lessons learned and country-specific differences in program development strategies.
• Evaluate the current focus on resource efficiency and targeted interventions.

Summary:

• Current strategies prioritize resource efficiency, focusing on the neediest groups rather than universal benefits.
• Programs provide free meals (breakfast, lunch, snacks, milk) offering up to 1,000 calories and 30g protein daily.
• Integral management is largely abandoned; states focus on planning/control, while the private sector drives strategy and community participation is minimal.

Impact:

• Provides insights for policymakers and evaluators of school nutrition interventions in Latin America.
• Highlights the shift towards targeted, resource-efficient school feeding models.
• Informs strategies for optimizing nutritional outcomes for schoolchildren in the region.