What is National School Nutrition programme?

The National School Nutrition Programme is the government programme that provides one nutritious meal to all learners in poorer primary and secondary schools. The objective is to provide nutritious meals to learners so as to improve their ability to learn.

Which learners are eligible for the school feeding programme?

Within selected schools, learners are selected by age or grade or some other criteria for feeding. The minimum policy is to feed all Grades from R up to Grade 7 for 156 out of approximately 196 school days per year. Research found that not all children entitled to school feeding received food.

In which year was the National School Nutrition programme introduced?

1994
The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) is a national school feeding scheme that feeds over 9 million learners nutritious meals every day at school. Since 1994, the programme has tried to improve the ability of children to learn by combatting malnutrition, reducing hunger and improving school attendance.

How does the South African government contribute to school nutrition Programmes?

The meals provided through the school feeding schemes significantly supplement the beneficiaries’ daily energy and nutrient requirements. The government allocates at least two nutritionists per province to design a school menu in accordance with the South African Food-Based Dietary Guidelines.

What is the benefit brought about by the introduction of the National School Nutrition programme?

The NSNP aims to enhance the learning capacity of learners through the provision of a healthy meal at schools. Where it is implemented, the programme has shown to improve punctuality, regular school attendance, concentration and the general wellbeing of participating learners.

What are the benefits of feeding scheme?

School feeding programmes, where learners are fed meals or snacks at school, are a way to reduce short-term hunger and improve the nutrition of children so that they are better able to concentrate, understand and perform academically.

Why feeding scheme at schools are important?

Designed to reduce hunger and improve nutrition, the school feeding scheme initiative is a globally recognised social protection tool that helps not only to keep children in the system, it has also reduced financial pressure on parents and taught children the importance of growing their own fresh produce.

Whats a nutrition plan?

Nutrition plans are created with quality food choices in mind and not just the amount of food a client should eat. The way a client feels is more important in leading them to long term weight loss and results.