Description
The project aims to provide a healthy meal on a daily basis and promote healthy eating habits by offering 140.000 sandwiches, pies and other bakery products, 140.000 servings of fruit, 55.000 servings of milk and 28.000 yogurts to 1000 students in the public elementary schools in low socioeconomic areas of Greece for a total of 210 days (a school year ’14-’15 and Sept-Jan of school year ’15-’16). The suggested proposal project acts as an extension of an already existing project, in remote and rural areas and islands of the “The Food Aid and Promotion of Healthy Nutrition Program-DIATROFI”. Through the provision to all students of the same meal every day, social discrimination within the school is avoided, social inequalities are narrowed and school dropout rates are reduced.
Summary of project results
34,6% of the Greek population faces the risk of poverty or social exclusion (ELSTAT, 2013). Data of the DIATROFI Program confirms the consequences of the economic crisis on the population of underprivileged areas of the country, according to which 53,1% of the families that participated in the Program in 2014-2015 faced food insecurity, 21% of which faced hunger. The project supported public school students in remote and rural areas of the country, by reducing food insecurity and hunger levels and by improving the nutritional habits of both students and their families. A healthy free meal was distributed daily to 2.145 students in remote and agricultural areas of Macedonia and Thrace for approximately 11 months, indirectly affecting over than 8.000 people. In total, 172.050 meals were distributed exceeding the initial objectives. As part of the promotion of healthy nutrition activities, posters were distributed to schools, 13 educational events were organized and 6 different types of educational material were provided to students, while brochures for parents, educational manuals for teachers and canteen owners were developed. Additionally, 264 visits to participating schools were performed and 382 telephone communications. The project successfully covered the needs that arose, by providing meals on a daily basis and by enhancing economic and social support for the beneficiaries. Results (based on statistical data collected in the beginning and the end of the 2014-2015 school year) show 22% reduction in food insecurity rates, and substantial effects on weight problems and improvement of healthy nutritional habits of students: 20% of students who were obese in the beginning of the school year had normal weight at the end, whereas 75% of the students who did not consume fruits, did in the end. For 51,5% of students, an improvement in health-related quality of life was achieved and 36% of students improved their educational activities. Moreover, 92% of the parents noted that the project assisted financially their family. Due to the project implementation method, school climate was improved and social stigmatization minimized. School dropout rates were decreased during the school year, as 61.9% of the teachers attested. The project promoted the pedagogical scope of schools by enhancing their educational work in relation to healthy nutrition. Healthy meals were regarded as a hands-on experience, “a theory that students learn in action”.
Summary of bilateral results