In the mountainous area of Manufahi in southern Timor-Leste, where healthy food is often unaffordable for most households, the UN is working to spread the advantages of development.
“Our students weren’t starving, but they lacked a nutritious diet,” stated Domingos de Jesus, principal of Cossamar primary school in Same, where 500 students receive daily meals. “Now they eat more protein and vegetables, with fewer carbohydrates.”
Caetano Marcelo, principal of Betano primary school on the southern coast, noted that well-fed students are more attentive, enhancing their learning.
In Timor-Leste, many families can’t afford nutritious meals, said Mr. de Jesus, mostly due to the region’s reliance on subsistence farming. With 18% of the population facing daily hunger and 45% of children under five affected by stunted growth, improving child nutrition is a top government priority and a key part of the new UN cooperation framework for sustainable development, set for 2026-2030.
The UN-backed school feeding program benefits over 70,000 children nationwide, while boosting the government’s nutrition capacity for lasting impact.
School feeding has become a national priority, with management and funding decentralized to municipalities. This approach encourages local involvement and the use of locally grown produce but challenges remain in diet diversification and consistent food access.
To tackle these issues, the World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are working with national and local authorities to enhance menus and supply chains, improve kitchen facilities, and train school staff in nutrition and hygiene, supporting the government’s vision of integrating nutrition, education, and local economic development for sustainability.
On a recent Monday, Same school served a menu of venison stew, vegetables, and brown rice, using Ministry of Education-provided stainless steel trays, supported by WFP.
WFP advised on balanced meal plans with local ingredients and helped build a modern kitchen on school grounds. In Betano, children enjoyed chicken satay skewers with spinach, rice, and beans, prepared with FAO-supplied kitchen equipment. WFP provided training in budget management, menu preparation, and kitchen hygiene.
“The students eat everything, and it’s wonderful to see,” said Imana Imaculada Fernandes, head cook at Same school. “The meal plans feature 75% local produce, based on government and WFP advice.”
Fernandes and her team spend 35 cents per child daily, with an extra 7 cents for costs like fuel and labor—70% more than before, leading to nutritious diets and better hygiene.
The initiative also supports local farmers like Andre Pereira de Sousa in Betano, who benefit from steady demand for their produce, reducing market trips, saving time for farm improvements and family.
Betano farmers, among 9,000 households aided by an FAO conservation agriculture program, have diversified into higher-value crops, using compost to cut costs and environmental impact. They also received equipment like small mills and a trailer for produce transport.
FAO and WFP’s collaborative efforts showcase the UN’s strategy of inter-agency cooperation to support the government.
“This illustrates the power of a united effort for sustained project benefits,” noted Funmi Balogun Alexander, UN Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste. “Such joint approaches underpin the new cooperation framework with Timor-Leste.”
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