Caribbean News
Belize Celebrates International School Meals Day
Belmopan, March 15, 2025 – As the world marked International School Meals Day on Thursday, March 14, Belize highlights the success and expansion of its National Healthy Start School Feeding Programme (NHSFP). The initiative is ensuring that thousands of students receive nutritious meals daily to support learning, health, and well-being.
Managed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology (MoECST), the NHSFP provides either breakfast or lunch to nearly 15,000 students, covering 11% of primary school children and 30% of secondary school students across the country. This marks a significant milestone in Belize’s commitment to nutrition security and education.
A Sustainable Model for School Feeding
The NHSFP utilizes a decentralized model, where meals are cooked fresh each day at individual schools. This shift from a centralized catering model to a school-led approach, resulted from lessons learned through pilot programs under the AMEXCID FAO Mesoamerica Hunger Free Program and the Mexico-CARICOM-FAO Initiative “Cooperation for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in the Caribbean” or Resilient Caribbean Initiative. This sustainable school feeding model has been successfully scaled up to 75 schools nationwide, reinforcing food sustainability, local economic growth and student health.
To support this initiative, Belize joined the RAES Network and the School Meal Coalition in 2024, further aligning national efforts with global best practices in school feeding.
Menu Innovation & Training for Better Nutrition
A key feature of the programme is the development of national school menu handbooks, created by Belizean nutritionists with support from FAO. Recently, a high school menu has been created, with portion sizes and recipes tailored towards older students. This joins the primary school menu, to ensure nutrition needs are considered for all student ages. The guides provide a 5-week menu cycle, focusing on balanced, nutrient-rich meals using local ingredients. Additionally, the handbooks contain kitchen operating procedures to promote food safety, and menu planning guides. School cooks receive training on these topics to promote the production of safe, quality meals.
Further capacity-building initiatives are planned for 2025 in partnership with FAO.
Strong Partnerships Driving Success
The NHSFP is strengthened by collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW), the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE), and key international partners including UNICEF, PAHO, and the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) —through its initiative jointly led with FAO, the Mesoamerica Hunger-Free program— , which has provided
policy guidance and technical support since 2015.
Funding for the 2023-2024 expansion, totaling $3 BZD per child per day, was made possible through the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) via the 2022 Bilateral Cooperation Programme. These funds help schools renovate kitchens, improve food safety, and expand feeding coverage.
Innovative Monitoring for Greater Impact
Belize is also pioneering technology-driven monitoring of its school meals programme. A QR code-based student meal attendance app is currently being piloted in high schools,with the aim of integrating school feeding data into the BEMIS electronic tracking system. This initiative will help analyze trends, support decision-making, and improve programme efficiency.
As Belize celebrates International School Meals Day, the expansion of the National Healthy Start School Feeding Programme underscores the country’s commitment to ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals, paving the way for better education outcomes, healthier communities, and a more food-secure nation.
For more information, visit:
FAO School Food Global Hub – https://www.fao.org/platforms/school-food/around-the-world/latin-america-and-the-caribbean/belize/en
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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