Community kitchens and school meals : promoting children’s education in Haiti thanks to women farmers

Haiti imports between 50% and 85% of its food, depending on harvests, seasons, and local conditions. This dependency leaves millions of people vulnerable to inflation and the volatility of international markets.

The Du champ à l’assiette (From farm to plate) initiative, supported by the Roncalli International Foundation in collaboration with UPA Développement International (UPA-DI), adopts a circular approach to enhance food security and local agriculture while promoting the economic empowerment of women in Hait.

From October 2023 to March 2024:

• 16,800 meals were distributed in schools in Torbeck.
• 22,700 meals were distributed in schools in Labrousse.

These figures highlight the impact of school canteens on increasing school enrollment:

• From 70 to 130 students at Toro National School in Torbeck.
• From 90 to 120 students at Bon Samaritain School in Torbeck.
• From 180 to 250 students at Doriole School in Labrousse.

With a total contribution of $59,000, the Roncalli Foundation supported key initiatives of this project:

1. The creation of 6 collective kitchens: generating jobs for local women, distributing nutritious meals, and supporting local agricultural producers.
2. The installation of a green energy platform: a biodigester converts organic waste into biogas, providing an eco-friendly alternative to firewood, reducing the carbon footprint, and combating climate change.
3. The reopening of the Labrousse processing centre: managed by the “Femmes étincelles” (Women sparks) group, this centre strengthens women’s economic independence through specialized training.

This support has had a significant impact for 2,175 people in the rural communities of Torbeck and Labrousse in Haiti, including 435 women and children directly involved in the project. The Roncalli Foundation continues to support initiatives that combine sustainable development, gender equality, environmental protection, and food security, contributing to a fairer and more resilient future for all, especially the children of local communities.