16 October: World Food Day- The Food Aid and Promotion of Healthy Nutrition Program is extended to more than 300 schools providing relief for 50,000 public school students in socioeconomically vulnera

In full compliance with the goals set by the UN General Assembly to reduce hunger in the world which established October the 16^th as World Food Day, the Food Aid and Promotion of Healthy Nutrition Program has been extended to 50,000 students in over 300 schools for this school year.

The Program, implemented by the Prolepsis Institute with a grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, helps address the food insecurity problems that many students faceacross the country. The program introduces and promotes healthy nutritional behaviors while concurrently serving as major source of relief for thousands of families in Greece affected by food insecurity. All students in participating schools receive a healthy meal on a daily basis, free of charge, specially designed to meet their nutritional needs. During the past school year the Food Aid and Promotion of Healthy Nutrition Program was successfully implemented in 163 schools around Greece helping 25,349 students from disadvantaged areas of Athens, Thessaloniki and other parts of the country. From October 2012 to April 2013, 2,025,354 meals and pieces of fresh fruit and 1,245,152 cartons of milk were distributed covering approximately 20-30% of the daily energy needs of students and ensuring 45-55% of their daily needs in proteins.

In vulnerable areas of Greece where the ongoing economic crisis has left a strong social footprint, food insecurity phenomena, previously considered exclusive to developing countries, are becoming more and more frequent. During the past school year (2012-2013), 15,897 questionnaires from 152 participating schools were collected in order to identify nutritional needs and evaluate the Program. The data suggest that 27% of the program participants face food insecurity with hunger (moderate or severe) and 37% face food insecurity without hunger. Thus only 36% of the participants, in specific areas of the country, have food security. Similar food security percentages are observed in countries such as South Africa (31%), Burkina Faso (27%), Indonesia (21%). Even Zimbabwe (52%), Mozambique (43%) and Malawi (52%) face fewer problems than certain Greek regions.  

Parallel to the tangible quantitative results major qualitative results, attributable to the program, emerge. Namely, the cultivation of social solidarity among students, reduction of stigmatization of economically vulnerable students and a considerable enhancement of collegiality in the school environment have been observed throughout the program’s implementation. Moreover, the Program works towards reinforcing healthy nutrition and promoting the health of both students and their families. It does so through specially designed materials including text messages and tips on healthy nutrition, as well as educational events and activities for parents and children alike.

The Program is coordinated and implemented by the Prolepsis Institute’s scientific team, in collaboration with the Medical School of Athens and other Greek and American Universities. The Program is made possible, due to the hard work and significant contribution of many volunteers.

Apart from the 300 schools, supported by the grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the Program is also implemented in five more schools with the financial support of the Welfare Foundation for Social and Cultural Affairs (KIKPE). Similarly,one more individual school is supported by the financial contribution of the pharmaceutical company Janssen and the non-profit organization of Johnson & Johnson, Corporate Citizenship Trust. The Program is also supplemented by generous donations by individuals in Greece and abroad.