Dominica Strengthens School Nutrition Efforts with CARPHA and PAHO Support

Dominica Advances Healthy School Environments Initiative

From November 20 to 24, 2025, Dominica is undertaking a significant initiative to strengthen its school nutrition efforts, supported by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). This program aims to foster healthier food environments within the nation's schools, reinforcing the government's commitment to improving child health outcomes.

Addressing the Regional Challenge of Childhood Obesity

The initiative is a direct response to the alarming increase in childhood overweight and obesity across the Caribbean, where approximately one in every three children is affected. Unhealthy diets, characterized by high levels of salt, sugar, fat, and ultra-processed foods, are significant contributors to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which remain the leading cause of death and disability in the region.

CARPHA and PAHO's Collaborative Framework

CARPHA and PAHO have jointly developed the 'Technical Recommendations for Nutrition Standards for Caribbean Schools.' These recommendations are designed to guide countries in standardizing the foods and beverages served or sold in both primary and secondary schools. The current program in Dominica, operating under a Subsidiary Agreement between CARPHA and PAHO, provides country-specific guidance and training to implement these crucial standards. This collaborative effort involves the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, and the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence.

Dominica's Commitment to National Nutrition Standards

Dominica's participation in this program underscores its dedication to combating childhood obesity and promoting long-term health. The initiative seeks to support the development and strengthening of national nutrition standards for all foods provided and sold in schools and early childhood services. The country has a long-standing commitment to school nutrition, with the Ministry of Education School Feeding Programme having operated since 1991. This program has historically involved community engagement, parent-teacher meetings, and the participation of students in meal preparation.

Key aspects of Dominica's ongoing efforts to improve school nutrition include:

• Engaging small and medium-scale farmers to supply fresh produce like roots, tubers, dairy products, eggs, poultry, fish, vegetables, and fruits.
• Training approximately 79 women employed as cooks in nutrition, portion control, menu planning, and food safety and hygiene.
• Implementing approaches to prevent overweight and obesity, such as setting nutritional requirements for food baskets, restricting certain foods and beverages on or near school grounds, and providing food and nutrition education.
• Utilizing school gardens as a pedagogical tool and including nutrition education in the primary school curriculum.

These efforts directly contribute to global targets aimed at ending all forms of malnutrition and reducing NCDs and obesity rates by 30% by the year 2030.